Lumbala Nguimbo – A Zambian citizen named Du Shefu, “illegally” enthroned as king of the Mbunda kingdom last August, was deported to the Republic of Zambia, for illegal entry and stay in the country, ANGOP learned Thursday.
The aforementioned citizen had been appointed as successor to King Mwene Mbandu IV, who died in 2022, however contested by the family, who consider him an "arrogant individual, with deviant character, lack of principles of management and unification and tribalist", moments before the enthronement.
Despite this, according to ANGOP sources, Du Shefu was enthroned clandestinely, without the knowledge of the Royal Court and the population of the kingdom, as well as the administrative and governmental authorities of the province.
According to the coordinator of the Festivals and Enthronement Commission of the Mbunda kingdom, Bernardino Katongo, the aforementioned citizen was deported to the Republic of Zambia, for illegal entry into the national territory.
Bernardino Katongo recalled that, given the alleged “lack of character” of Du Shefu Mbandu, 53 years old, until then the only candidate for the reign, he was considered “unfit” by the local population and members of the court to assume the reign.
In light of these events, a meeting of the royal court is expected later this year, to find a new candidate who could replace the late Mwene Mbandu IV (João Pedro Mussole) in 2025.
As for the members of the court and elders who secretly supported and "anointed" Du Chefu Mbandu, they must apologize to the royal court and the Mbunda people, to avoid being excluded or suffering other consequences, according to the coordinator of the Festivals and Enthronement of the Mbunda kingdom.
Du Chefu would be the 25th King of the Mbunda people.
Mbunda is a kingdom made up of more than 15 million inhabitants, residing in Angola (eastern provinces of Moxico and Cuando-Cubango), as well as the Republic of Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively.
The Mbunda have so far enthroned 24 kings.
LTY/TC/YD/CF/jmc
