KING Masombuka Lucky Skosana of the Manala Mgibi royal house has questioned the legitimacy of Basotho kingship in Mzansi.
The first Amandebele King emphasised that the Chief Principal of Bakoena ba Mopeli royal house is ruled in Lesotho, which raises many questions.
"I've physically visited their tribal homes and surprisingly they don't have a certificate. I have uncovered a number of corruption where self-proclaimed kings have cheated residents out of their money. These people sell a residential site to more than 10 people," he said.
"We've asked our residents to report these people to the nearest police station. We cannot allow alleged corruption to take place under our watch. We must reduce the number of people who claim to be kings. Only history can judge us."
Skosana was speaking to scores of community members at the Bluegambosch Cemetery in QwaQwa, Free State on Monday, 22 January.
He officially introduced himself and his duties in the community of QwaQwa and the surrounding areas after his coronation in 2021.
He was crowned by the Amandebele King in South Africa Enock Makhosonke II Mabhena in Mpumalanga.
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Skosana said the kingship of Bakoena ba Mopeli in Mzansi was terminated in 2010, according to the Nhlapo Commission, which was set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Mopeli Royal Family.
"The Basotho King Letsie III is based in Lesotho. How can a foreign king rule in South Africa. I want to question the legitimacy of Basotho kingship in Mzansi. Not in a bad way," Skosana said.
In his response, the Bakoena ba Mopeli secretary, Jonathan Mopeli explained the provincial royal constituencies recognised by the government include Batlokwa, Makgolowe, Bakoena and Batswana.
"We are not denying the fact that Moshoeshoe and Mopeli were brothers. Mopeli left Lesotho in 1867 and bought the QwaQwa land with thousands of cattle from the former prime minister of the Orange Free State, Sir Christoffel Brand.
"Our doors are open to anyone who is skeptical about our kingship. The history is written. We are a legitimate royal family recognised by the government. The royal family will issue an official statement to clarify the matter in detail," he said.
