King Lobengula family says Ndebele throne remains vacant

The King Lobengula family has declared that the Ndebele people currently have no legitimate king, saying the process of identifying the rightful Crown Prince is still underway.

The position throws fresh uncertainty over the status of Bulelani Collen Lobengula Khumalo, who was crowned in 2018 and has since been publicly presented as the Ndebele King.

In a statement issued following a family meeting held in Bulawayo on August 16, representatives of five of King Lobengula's royal houses said the restoration of the Ndebele monarchy must be guided by established customary procedures, the correct order of succession and the involvement of traditional leaders.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Mhlambi, Mthinthiwa, Njube, Nyamande and Tshakalisa royal houses, while the Sidojiwe House was not represented.

The statement was signed by Dr Themba Khumalo and Dr Peter Zwide kaLanga Khumalo.

The family said the responsibility for identifying and presenting the rightful Crown Prince rested exclusively with the King Lobengula family.

"The family was clear and unequivocal that the identification and presentation of the rightful and legitimate Crown Prince is the responsibility of the King Lobengula Family and must be conducted strictly in accordance with Ndebele customary processes and a correct order of succession," the family said.

"This is not a matter to be determined by media pronouncements or the actions of individuals acting without the authority or mandate of the family."

The family said it had been working quietly to identify the rightful successor despite years of public disputes and litigation surrounding the throne.

"The process is well underway to finality. Currently, the Ndebele people have no legitimate King. The King Lobengula family has not seconded anyone to be a King," it said.

Bulelani coronation questioned

The declaration comes barely a month after Prince Peter Zwide kaLanga Khumalo withdrew an eight-year High Court challenge against Bulelani's 2018 coronation.

Zwide withdrew the case on July 20, 2026, bringing the long-running legal battle to an end without the court determining who should ultimately occupy the Ndebele throne.

Zwide, who traces his lineage to Nyamande, a son of King Lobengula, had argued that he was lawfully identified by the Nyamande Royal House as the rightful successor.

He claimed that he was unveiled as King Nyamande Lobengula II on February 17, 2018, following a customary identification process within the Lobengula royal family.

Zwide had challenged the process that resulted in Bulelani's identification and subsequent coronation, arguing that it had been conducted outside the royal family and did not comply with Ndebele customary practices.

Those defending Bulelani rejected the claims, arguing that Nyamande was never king of the Ndebele people and therefore could not establish a separate legitimate line of succession.

They further relied on the customary principle that "a king begets a king", arguing that Nyamande was born before Lobengula became king and therefore could not establish a legitimate succession line.

The dispute intensified in March 2018 when the Bulawayo High Court temporarily stopped Bulelani's planned coronation after Zwide obtained an interdict.

Despite the legal challenge, traditional leaders in Matabeleland and members of the Khumalo family proceeded with Bulelani's coronation in September 2018 following seven days of traditional rites.

Family rejects rival claims

The latest statement suggests that the withdrawal of the court case did not resolve the underlying succession dispute.

The Lobengula family said it was concerned about individuals presenting themselves as Ndebele kings or making statements purportedly on behalf of the royal family without its authority.

"The King Lobengula Family notes with concern the emergence of individuals who have presented themselves as Ndebele Kings through various media platforms and some have made pronouncements purportedly on behalf of the King Lobengula family without its knowledge, authority and consent," the family said.

"The family categorically dissociates itself with such claims of Kingship or pronouncements."

The family said the restoration of the monarchy could only be achieved through established Ndebele customs and traditions.

It said once the process of identifying the Crown Prince had been completed, the chosen successor would be formally presented to the relevant traditional leaders and chiefs.

"The Ndebele Monarchy will be restored through the time-honoured customs and traditions of the Ndebele people, guided by the King Lobengula family and presented to the nation through its rightful custodians, the Chiefs," the statement said.

The family said chiefs would play a central role as custodians of Ndebele customs and traditions and as the authority through which the Crown Prince would ultimately be presented to the nation.

Succession dispute continues

The latest declaration effectively shifts the unresolved kingship dispute from the courts back to the royal family and traditional leadership structures.

While Bulelani was crowned eight years ago, the latest position from five Lobengula royal houses indicates that his legitimacy remains contested within sections of the royal family.

The family urged the media and members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to speak on behalf of the Lobengula family.

The developments come ahead of the 2026 King Mzilikazi annual commemorations scheduled for September 4 and 5 at Mhlahlandlela near Bulawayo.

The commemorations honour King Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele nation, and will take place against the backdrop of renewed debate over the restoration of the monarchy and the unresolved question of who should ultimately succeed King Lobengula.