Durban — In what appears to be a widening rift between King Misuzulu and his traditional prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the king and the royal family have expressed unhappiness at the appointment of a traditional dispute resolution team without being consulted.
The team was appointed by Buthelezi, in his capacity as the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC.
Last week, Buthelezi ruffled the feathers of the Zulu royals in the king’s camp, when he unveiled a team that included princes known to be detractors of King Misuzulu.
The team included Prince Mbonisi, a known opponent of the king. Prince Mbonisi had opposed the appointment of the king since 2021 and went to court to challenge his recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He has been pushing for Prince Buzabazi, the late King Zwelithini’s son from the Dlamahlahla royal palace, to be the king.
The nine-member team is made up of Prince Mathubesizwe kaBhekuzulu (who will lead the team) Prince Mbonisi kaBhekuzulu, Prince Vulindlela kaBhekuzulu, Prince Mxolisi kaBhekuzulu, Prince Lindi kaBhekuzulu, Prince Thuthukani kaMcwayizeni kaSolomon, Praise-singer Buzetsheni Mdletshe, Reverend Canon Hamilton Mbatha and Reverend Canon Daniel Mthembu.
Buthelezi said that by appointing the team to resolve the succession disputes that had increased in areas under the amakhosi, he was continuing with late king Zwelithini’s effort, where the royal family played a critical role in resolving disputes and fostering reconciliation where succession disputes arose.
Buthelezi explained that he was empowered by the KZN Traditional Leadership and Governance Act 5 of 2005, which gives authority to the Cogta MEC to oversee all matters pertaining to the institution of traditional leadership.
However, the appointment was rejected by the king’s camp, which said the prime minister was wrong in appointing the king’s known enemies to such crucial positions.
The king’s close aide, Prince Simphiwe Zulu said the king and the royal family were not consulted about the appointment and were shocked to hear about it. Prince Simphiwe said the royals wanted a meeting with the king to discuss the matter.
“The king and the royal family were shocked at the appointment of this team since there was no consultation. The royals are shocked and unhappy about this,” he said.
Weighing in on the matter, cultural expert Professor Jabulani Maphalala said historically, the prime minister had always consulted the king about decisions pertaining to any traditional matter. He criticised Buthelezi for appointing a team that would be dealing with crucial traditional matters without the approval of the king.
“Buthelezi was wrong to make such an appointment without the king’s blessings. Even if he did it as Cogta MEC, it is still wrong because this is a traditional matter. He should remember that all the land under amakhosi belongs to the king through the Ingonyama Trust, and amakhosi are managing the land for the king, which means the king should have been consulted,” said Maphalala.
Prince Mbonisi said he had nothing to say about the people who were against his inclusion since he did not appoint himself.
Cogta spokesperson Senzo Mzila said the conflict mediation panel announced by the MEC was not subject to the approval of the royal family.
A source within the royal family who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the rift between the two was inevitable after the provincial government turned down the king’s request to travel with 300 amabutho (regiments) to Malawi during King M'Mbelwa’s 10th-anniversary celebrations. Government approved the trip with a reduced number but the king cancelled the trip, citing embarrassment at having to go with a decreased regiment.
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