The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has strongly condemned reports suggesting that a Nigerian king was coronated in the Eastern Cape, describing the claims as unverified and inappropriate.
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Velenkosini Hlabisa (Facebook)
Hlabisa made these remarks during an interview with the SABC, while attending the Inkatha Freedom Party’s 51st anniversary celebrations in Bethal, Mpumalanga, on the 22nd of March 2026. He stressed that, at this stage, the department has not received any formal or credible reports confirming that such an event took place, noting that the information currently circulating appears to be solely based on social media posts.
Despite the lack of official confirmation, Hlabisa expressed concern over the implications of such reports, particularly in relation to South Africa’s cultural and traditional leadership structures. He emphasised that the country already has recognised traditional leaders who serve as custodians of its cultural heritage and governance systems.
“What is being shown in the social media, we regard it as just the Sunday school playing of kids who do not know what they are actually doing except playing. South Africa has enough kings who are the beings who are custodians of our culture. A person belonging to Nigeria must go back to Nigeria and be a custodian in Nigeria because it’s an insult to come into another country. It’s an undermining of the sovereignty of the Republic of South Africa,” he stated.
He further underscored that any actions perceived to undermine South Africa’s sovereignty or traditional leadership institutions would be taken seriously, even as authorities continue to verify the authenticity of the reports.
