Balobedu throne dispute enters third day in court as royal family challenges president’s recognition
The legal battle over the Balobedu throne entered its third day in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria today, Friday, as members of the Modjadji Royal Family pressed their challenge to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII as monarch.
The applicants, including the Queen’s uncle and former regent Prince Mpapatla Modjadji and her brother Prince Lekukela Modjadji, want the court to set aside the December 2024 certificate of recognition and have Prince Lekukela installed as king. They argue that Masalanabo does not live in Balobedu, is unfamiliar with the culture, and did not undergo initiation according to custom, a claim her counsel, Advocate Lerato Phasha, disputed in an affidavit stating she was initiated under the guidance of Johanna Mokhadi.
The Presidency’s legal team has countered that the royal family identified Masalanabo as heir from 2005, after the death of Queen Makobo Modjadji VI, and never validly rescinded that identification. Counsel argued the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act does not allow two people to be identified for the same throne, and that once the successor ceased to be a minor the President was obliged to recognise her.
The Balobedu Queenship is South Africa’s only legally recognised female traditional monarchy. Judgment has been reserved.
