The Modjadji Royal Council in Limpopo says it is heading to court to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to legally recognise princess Masalanabo Modjadji as the Queen of the Balobedu nation.

This as Queen Modjadji, who was recognised by government on the 31st of March 2016 in terms of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, has now turned 18.

Some members of the royal council had appointed princess Masalanabo’s brother prince Lekukela Modjadji as an heir to the throne while the other members of the royal council were in favour of the princess.

The other group of the same royal council has promised to issue a comment on Monday.

President @CyrilRamaphosa has legally recognised Princess Masalanabo Modjadji as the Queen of the Balobedu Queenship. https://t.co/NbcG1Y5PCT pic.twitter.com/ytLkr1J7Vt

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 13, 2024

Meanwhile, Modjadji royal council spokesperson, Ronny Moroatshehla, says they were not consulted by the Presidency.

“Both the royal family and the Modjadji royal council have received shock with the statement from the presidency, which is recognising princess Masalanabo, as the next leader of the Modjadji royal nation. I think somebody has overstepped, his or her limit and its very regrettable. I think the President was misled and we are therefore going to challenge this decision and it is not going to be nice.”