Zulu King MisuZulu ka Zwelithini has made a bold move by firing his traditional prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi with immediate effect. The reasons for this sudden decision have not been disclosed yet, but the king has promised to provide explanations in the near future.
In addition to dismissing Buthelezi, the king has also suspended members of the Ingonyama Trust Board, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer. This action comes as part of an investigation into potential breaches of the Public Finance Management Act.
The decision to remove Buthelezi from his position was reportedly influenced by concerns that he was undermining the stability of the KwaZulu-Natal coalition government. It is believed that Buthelezi, a member of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, was using his role for personal gain.
King MisuZulu emphasized the importance of the traditional prime minister’s role in serving the monarchy and the Zulu nation. He called for unity among the Zulu people in the process of appointing Buthelezi’s successor.
The axed Buthelezi is also said to have contributed to the strained relationship between the king and the ITB, of which he is a trustee and chairperson. The king has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the board’s refusal to comply with his directives, including conducting an audit of the land it administers on his behalf.
The king’s decision to suspend ITB members has sparked controversy, with the board members asserting that the king does not have the authority to take such action. They have raised objections to the appointment of an external individual to undertake trustee functions and conduct a forensic audit of the trust’s financial affairs.
Overall, the developments within the Zulu monarchy reflect a period of upheaval and uncertainty. As the Zulu nation awaits further explanations from the king, the future of the traditional leadership in KwaZulu-Natal remains uncertain.
