The Vhevenda kingship battle continues in court

The battle for the VhaVenda kingship is expected to resume on Monday in the Polokwane High Court, Limpopo.

Princess Masindi Mphephu, who is the daughter of the late Vhavenda King Timbanyinga Mphephu, has been challenging her uncle Toni Mphephu Ramabulana for the throne for years.

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The throne was left empty after Princess Masindi successfully challenged him in the Constitutional Court. She argued that she is the rightful heir, even though she was pushed aside after her father’s death, just because she is a woman.

In her testimony in January 2025, Princess Masindi told the court that the current selection of an heir to the throne was based on gender discrimination.

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When he testified in April 2025, Prince Toni Mphephu Ramabulana told the Court that allowing a woman to ascend the VhaVenda throne would lead to the collapse of long-standing cultural traditions.

“Princess Masindi Mphephu doesn’t qualify to take up the Vhavenda kingship throne because she is a woman,” he said.

“That is not discrimination against women – it’s simply in accordance with Mphephu Ramabulana customs,” Ramabulana told the court.

Meanwhile, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana is currently continuing with his testimony in court.