A vicious war of words has erupted between two prominent traditional leaders in the Vhembe region. The situation became quite bizarre when one of them was removed from his position this weekend, only to be installed in a higher position by a senior traditional leader from another area the next day.
The conflict between Thovhele Nthumeni Masia and Vhamusanda Vho-Livhuwani Matsila has been brewing for some time now, but this was not always the case. In December 2014, when Thovhele Masia was inaugurated as one of the most senior leaders in the region, he announced that a brother of his, Livhuwani Matsila, would be responsible for Matsila Tshisimani.
Those who move in circles close to the traditional houses reckon that the conflict between the two started brewing at a very early stage. Some ascribe it to professional jealousy, while others reckon the problem may be an irritation spurred on by a lack of respect.
Chief Matsila, as many people know him, is very active in fundraising, and throughout the years, he brought many projects to the area under his jurisdiction. His Matsila Community Development Trust collected more than R40 million from the National Lottery for projects. He is also very well connected with prominent politicians, such as President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Whereas the conflict used to be contained within the inner circles of the family structures, it has now spilled over into the public domain. The past weekend's Heritage Day celebrations turned into a mud-slinging event. Both traditional leaders organised heritage functions the past weekend. Thovhele Masia held it at Matsila Thondoni village on the 23rd and Vhamusanda Vho-Matsila at Tshisimani on the 24th.
During Saturday's function, Thovhele Masia announced "the removal of Livhuwani Matsila from his traditional leadership role of Matsila Village (Tshisimani) with immediate effect".
In a press release issued afterward, Matsila is said to have been assigned to provide leadership to the village in 2015 as part of Masia traditional community's internal arrangement. "It was hoped that with time, the village would reach a threshold of qualifying to be recognised as a village and that the government would recognise new headmen at some point. His ascension and activities, however, have brought disorder as he started working independently, ignored the existence of the traditional council and the senior traditional leader, Thovhele Nthumeni Masia, and ultimately promoted himself and started masquerading as a chief," states the release.
The press release also accuses Matsila of dealing directly with government departments and senior politicians without involving either Thovhele Masia or his council. An announcement was made that Vhamusanda Vho-Talifhani Matsila would be inducted as the new leader of the area in place of Livhuwani Matsila.
The "dethroned" Livhuwani Matsila, however, did not accept any of the new developments. On Sunday, at the Heritage Day celebrations at Matsila village, the guest of honour was none other than Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase, who had apparently been mandated by the Matsila Royal Family to inaugurate Livhuwani Matsila officially as the senior traditional leader of Hamatsila. He was given a new name and the title of Thovhele Radzambo II.
On Tuesday, the Matsila Royal House issued a statement, saying that they are "deeply offended and outraged by the myriad of preposterous media statements released … on behalf of Mr Mbangiseni Joseph Masia". The press release describes the message that Chief Matsila was relieved of his duties as "fallaciously and distastefully incorrect, unfounded, and extremely mischievous".
The statement then continues by asserting that the Matsila Royal family does not recognise Mbangiseni Masia as their senior traditional leader. "It is also a fact that he is also not recognised by prominent members and houses of the Masia Royal Family because he was wrongfully installed in place of his brother's son who is the rightful heir of the Masia people. In terms of genealogical order and lineage, the Matsila Royal Family is senior in the Masia house," the statement reads.
The media release then states that Chief Livhuwani Matsila was reaffirmed as the senior traditional leader of the Matsila people during the Heritage Day celebration on September 24, 2023. "This followed the resolution of the senior makhadzis and other children of the late Chief Shandukani Matsila as well as other prominent members of the Royal Family. This ceremony to re-enact the Matsila chiefdom was presided over by Thovhele Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase of the Tshivhase dynasty and witnessed by a multitude of traditional leaders from all over the country."
While this public spat was playing out, many were speculating about what lies behind the animosity. Livhuwani Matsila's close proximity to senior ANC politicians and ministers may have caused conflict because he was projected as the first stop for such visits, while the more senior traditional leaders were ignored. "The many projects that sprang up at Tshisimani that created jobs for locals have also been identified as a source of discomfort and jealousy," said a source, who requested anonymity.
The big conflict in this scenario, however, has been identified as the legitimacy of Thovhele Masia's holding the senior traditional leadership position. This position is subject to a challenge that serves before the court. Many believe that Masia suspects Matsila is behind the move to oust him, and that has brewed bitter hostility between them.
Matsila has previously vehemently denied it but pointed out that the Matsila Royal house is an autonomous one that does not owe allegiance to any other house.
Many have questioned whether having a chief of Matsila's rank promoted to the rank of Thovhele was procedural.
Dr Shumani Tshikota, a Univen academic and expert in matters of culture, said a senior Thovhele such as Tshivhase could inaugurate another Thovhele such as Matsila, as he had done so in several other royal houses.
He said the directive must come from the family, and more specifically the khadzi, who can assign more duties and promote a traditional leader to the rank of thovhele.