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Inside the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo
The lawyer for former Vhavenda king, Prince Toni Mphephu has told the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo that it was not correct for the Presidency to withdraw his certificate of recognition as king.
Advocate Shoni Ravele is closing arguments in the court battle over the Vhavenda throne.
The throne became vacant after Princess Masindi Mphephu successfully challenged her uncle, Prince Mphephu Ramabulana, in the Constitutional Court.
Advocate Ravele says they want the court to take executive power.
“If the royal family identifies that identification on its own is nothing, Mr Toni Mphephu was not going to be the king of the Vhavenda. In terms of the South African clause, we submit that we are asking for substitution, then we want the court to take the executive power; these proceedings are a result of the president.”
Advocate Matebese Zinzile, who is representing the Office of the President and the Limpopo government has disputed Ravele’s version, saying the president will never be able to identify anybody.
“The president’s power to recognise still remains; whatever comes out of court will be sent to the president, but the president will never be able to identify anybody.”
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