By Paul Nyathi

Crown Prince Bulelani Collins Lobengula Khumalo has been unveiled as the official King of the Ndebele people of Mthwakazi Kingdom.

Khumalo was unveild in public for the first time in Zimbabwe at a private function held in Bulawayo on Saturday after the official ceremony to crown him was called off by the government and the High Court on Friday.

Thousands of people in Bulawayo and the region had geared to attend the ceremony at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

ZimEye.com sources indicated that instead about one hundred people including a majority of chiefs from Matabeleland attended the colourful unveiling ceremony held at a Chief Nyangazonke’s luxurious home in Burnside in the City.

The ceremony was characterised by feasting and drinking on traditional Ndebele meals and drinks and went on through the night.

The government through the Minister of Local Government July Moyo declared the crowning of the king unconstitutional and illegal. The same was confirmed by high court judge Martin Makonese.

Chief Nhlanhkayamangwe Ndiweni told the gathering that the public crowning of the King will be held at a date to be advised as the Crown Council is still engaging with the authorities in Zimbabwe.

“We are not done yet. We will take the issue to the limit and a new date for the king’s coronation will be advised,” said Chief Ndiweni.