King Mambo fires advisor, nasty fight ensures

A ROYAL fight has erupted after King Mambo fired his spiritual advisor.  Born Mike Moyo, King Mambo also referred to as 'Ilitshe Aligiqiki' was installed in 2020 in a ceremony attended by over 80 chiefs drawn from across the country.  The king allegedly dismissed his advisor, Chief Bekezela Bhekimpi Nyathi, without following protocol. The move has reportedly divided the "royal house" as it is said a number of members are not happy with it.

King Mambo gave Nyathi up to the end of August to vacate a house in Emakhandeni suburb that he was using as part of his job benefits.  Chief Nyathi was King Mambo's right hand man and was his best man when he wedded his second wife in October 2020. His dismissal was announced on King Mambo related WhatsApp groups.

"The honourable house of spirit mediums, traditional leaders, and group members kindly be advised that Chief  Nyathi no longer represents King Mambo Royal House with immediate effect.

"We appreciate his contributions over the last three years. I, Chief Martin Talaunda Moyo, currently represent the affairs of the Royal Family until the National Royal Council decides who will be appointed next. It was an uncomfortable decision to take but necessary," reads a message, which was leaked to Chronicle and other chats between the two.

Reached for comment, King Mambo said Chief Nyathi fired himself as he was no longer reporting for duty. He said Chief Nyathi was suffering from an alleged mental illness and needs to be examined by medical doctors. "We suspect we are dealing with someone suffering from schizophrenia because of some of the things he does and things that he builds, which are non-existent.

"Yes, we ordered him out of the house and stopped his financial support because we could not let him continue representing the royal house since he was being hostile," said King Mambo.

He said Chief Nyathi must pay rentals at the Emakhandeni house after demanding three months' notice to move out. Contacted for comment, Chief Nyathi was initially shocked that the issue is now in the public arena before opening up on the fights. He said the decision was not taken to the Royal Council as the King made his own decision.

"Ah, this issue has reached the media; it was not supposed to leak. He did not officially announce to me that he has fired me but sent another chief but this decision should have been taken only after the issue had been presented and discussed at the Royal Council," said Chief Nyathi.

He said the bone of contention between him and the King arose over the issue of two other spirit mediums that had a hand in the appointment of Moyo as King Mambo. Chief Nyathi said he asked King Mambo to call a meeting between the three of them to discuss the issue but his advice was met with fierce outburst from the King. "He was very angry about my advice for a meeting to be called to iron out issues. He then sent me an SMS saying I was disrespectful and demanded that I vacate his house," he said.

"But I advised him to give me at least three-month notice to vacate the house not the two weeks he had given me as I have children at school and will need to make plans for them to transfer."

Mambo Royal Council chair, Chief Musarurwa confirmed the development and said he is in the process of arranging a meeting with King Mambo. "Chief Nyathi briefed me about the issue. I then advised King Mambo that it was not a good move to fire someone before the issue is reported to the Royal Council," he said. "He should have instead reported the matter to the Royal Council to deliberate the issue and see if there is any merit for that move.

"As a King he is not supposed to fire anyone without due process by the Royal Council. This must be done on his behalf so that we protect his position and the Royal Council. I believe in that sense, the move was wrong because he never briefed us," said Chief Musarurwa.

He said he is planning to visit King Mambo so that he decides if the issue needs the attention of the Royal Council.

Chief Musarurwa said the issue could have a bearing on the Mambo Day celebrations slated for September 10. "We need to finalise the Chief Nyathi issue before we hold the day as a united front. Chief Nyathi was very loyal to the King and was working well with him. We, therefore, need to sit down with him before the big day," he said.