File photo of the Rain Queen, Modjadji VI, at her crowning in April 2003. (Elske Kritzinger, Beeld) Pretoria - The Modjadji Royal Council confirmed on Monday the death of Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji of the Balobedu people in Limpopo.

"It is true," said council chairperson Kelly Modjadji, when asked about media reports to this effect. He is also the queen's grandfather.

He would not give any further information.

Modjadji, the sixth in a line of Balobedu rain queens, was crowned in 2003 at the age of 25 after the death of her predecessor and grandmother, Mokope Modjadji.

The Beeld newspaper on Monday quoted Limpopo government spokesperson Saul Molobi as confirming Modjadji's death.

Apart from ruling over the Balobedu tribe, the queen is also considered to be a rainmaker.