Rustomjee Jiwanji Ghorkhodu, also known as Parsi Rustomjee (or “Kakaji”) was born in India in August 1861. He arrived in Durban, Natal (now kwaZulu-Natal) at the age of seventeen, worked in an aerated waters company, and later became a prosperous businessperson. He was one of the founders of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) on August 22, 1894, and was elected Vice-President.

Native Affairs Department [NAD] officials alleged that the brothers, Willie Nicaand Mack Kgwete, from Sekhukhuneland, Lydenburg District, [Northern Transvaal, now Limpopo Province] were embroiled in succession disputes in Sekhukhuneland, with the former claiming the chieftainship when Maukeng Kgwete died.

There were claims of illegal meetings and threats to kill the Chief.  Despite fines and imprisonment, it was feared that on their release in late 1962 (Mack) and 1963 (Willie) the brothers would harm the Chief and so their banishment was requested.

Over 70 years old, William Mosehle Sekhukhune’s banishment order described him as a half-brother of Paramount Chief Sekhukhune. It was alleged that his status gave him great influence in the area and he used this to undermine the state. He was accused of being a leader of a secret organisation that fermented opposition and incited murder and arson and violent armed attacks on the police. At the time that his banishment order was signed, he was in custody awaiting trial for alleged violence.

Michael Halton Cheadle was born on 30 July 1949. He received a BA Honours and BProc from UNISA. Cheadle then completed a Bachelor of Law from Witwatersrand University.

Especially interesting in the light of the role that Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi came to play in Bantustan and national politics was the banishment of Mceleli Bongwefile Buthelezi on 1 October 1959.

The latter contested Buthelezi’s appointment as Chief in the courts to no avail. The dispute over chieftainship and Mceleli Buthelezi’s campaigning against Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s confirmation as chief created a “serious rift” in the Buthelezi community.

The banishment of Mashilo Tseke Nchabeleng, Mamogase Sebei, Kgalabotwane Tseke and Alfred Mamagale Tebeila from Sekhukhuneland, Lydenburg District, Transvaal [Limpopo Province]in 1965 was motivated on the grounds that they were “weerbarstiges” (rebels) who were opposed to BA (Bantu Administration), and interfering in the “smooth running of tribal affairs.”  It was noted that the Chief transferred them to the authority of another Chief but that they refused to move.

Martin Nambala Wilpard was acknowledged as the Chief of the Ondonga community in Ovamboland, South West Africa [now Namibia].

Mamokgalake Lesiba John Choene’s banishment documents stated that he was dismissed from the Chieftainship for not paying back money borrowed from certain white people under false pretenses. Additionally, he allegedly disregarded orders from the Chief Native Commissioner (CNC).

He vowednot to return to the Pietersburg District, [Northern] Transvaal [now Polokwane, Limpopo Province] after his time in goal and pledged to go work in Springs [East Rand, now Gauteng].

At a meeting in February 1957, in Mohlaletsi, Sekhukhuneland, [Northern] Transvaal [now Limpopo Province], councillors accused of collaborating with the state were voted out. Other figures that were firm in their opposition to state policies were appointed to a new inner council of the Paramount Chief (PC), including Arthur Phetedi Thulare “a senior royal.”

Babalekile Anderson Gigaba, from Nqabeni, Alfred District, Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal] was one of four people to put forward a claim to be appointed as a chief.  A local ethnologist recommended EG Mavundla, who was appointed Chief.

Gigaba allegedly took exception to the appointment and did everything “in his power to undermine” Mavundla’s authority.  Unrest and confusion reportedly ensued.  Gigaba was, at that time, out on bail on a charge of conspiring to commit murder.