BY STAFF REPORTER
The mother of the late chief Mvuthu Nyangayezizwe Mlotshwa, Emma Tshabangu of Monde in Hwange district has died.
She was aged 97.
Tshabangu’s death on Sunday morning was confirmed by Kachechete ward three councillor Given Moyo who said the cause of Tshabangu’s death was due to old age.
“She passed on, on Sunday night at Chief Mvuthu homestead and her body has been taken to Victoria Falls Hospital mortuary,” Moyo said.
“She has not been well due to old age.”
Moyo said the burial arrangements were yet to be discussed.
Chief Mvuthu died in 2014 aged 61.
He is survived by his wife, Epiphaniah and three children who among them is Silibaziso, his daughter who is contesting the chieftaincy and the matter is still yet to be finalised by the family.
The family nominated the late chief’s brother Sanders Mlotshwa as the successor in December 2014, but Silibaziso challenged that in court arguing that she is the one who should take over from her father.
Tshabangu left the family still divided with one faction saying it is against Ndebele culture for a woman to succeed her father as chief while others back Silibaziso, saying she is being victimised just because she is a woman.
The chief’s council endorsed Village Head Matata Sibanda to hold the position until the dispute is resolved
At the time of his death, Chief Mvuthu was one of the senior traditional leaders in Matabeleland North, chairing the Hwange Community Share Ownership Scheme and was a Hwange Colliery Company retiree after leaving his job on June 7, 2008 to take over the chieftaincy.