Amafana-Nkosi Royal Families v Princess Magadla and Others (In re: Princess Magadla v Premier of the Eastern Cape Province and Others)

A default court order was granted on 17 May 2022 in favour of Princess Magadla concerning the removal/recognition of a traditional leader within the Magadla traditional community. In January 2025, Tanduxolo Magadla launched an application for rescission of that default judgment, together with condonation for late filing. Shortly before the rescission application was due to be heard, a group styling itself as Amafana-Nkosi Royal Families applied to intervene in the proceedings. Amafana-Nkosi claimed to be a royal family as contemplated in the Eastern Cape Traditional Leadership and Governance Act 1 of 2017 and argued that the 2022 order adversely affected the appointment or removal of a traditional leader in their jurisdiction without their participation. Princess Magadla opposed the intervention. The court heard the intervention application first as an interlocutory matter.

The application for leave to intervene was dismissed. Costs were ordered against Mr Mandla Galo and Mr Lulama Jojo, being the identifiable individuals who instituted the intervention application.

The judgment clarifies the interpretation of 'royal family' under the Eastern Cape Traditional Leadership and Governance Act and confirms that only the recognised royal family, not individual members or splinter groups, has legal standing in matters concerning the appointment or removal of traditional leaders. It reinforces principles of standing and intervention under Rule 12 of the Uniform Rules of Court in the context of customary law disputes.