Unprecedented dismissal of Zulu kingdom’s traditional prime minister sparks instability concern
Durban — Culturalists and academics have expressed fears of uncertainty and instability in the Zulu kingdom following the shocking and unprecedented dismissal of the traditional prime minister on Friday.
In a record-setting development in the history of the kingdom, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini sacked his traditional prime minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, who is also the KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC.
In addition to this unprecedented move, the letter sacking Buthelezi was leaked to the media and the king had yet to inform him about the decision, according to Buthelezi himself.
The news, which began spreading like wildfire at the weekend, has sparked fears of instability among the Zulu people and cast doubt on whether king Misuzulu was managing the kingdom well.
Cultural expert Professor Gugu Mazibuko said she felt conflicted to comment on this matter since she has been recently appointed to chair the advisory board by the prime minister.
“Indeed it was shocking and as a person and the board chair I never expected or anticipated such a major decision,” she said.
The 26-member board was appointed last month and held its inaugural meeting on December 6.
Mazibuko, an academic now based in the University of Johannesburg, however, said signs of instability in the running of the king’s affairs had been noticed since the firing, rehiring and refiring of the king’s spokesperson, Prince Africa of Onkweni Royal House, as well as the sacking of the Ingonyama Trust Board chairperson Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela.
“It is difficult to say what impact this will have on the running of the kingdom but it is a sign of instability given how the king had fired, rehired and re-fired his spokesperson and Ingonyama Trust Board chairperson,” said Mazibiko.
Her sentiments were shared by an inkosi who asked to speak to the Daily News on condition of anonymity because he feared reprisal since the king’s word is final. The inkosi said the decision was shocking and wondered what impact it would have on the nation since it never happened before.
He called it the writing of the new history, which can cause instability among the Zulu people.
Weighing in on the saga, the deputy traditional prime minister, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, said he too learnt about the matter in the media, saying it would be difficult to comment fully until he was formally briefed by the king himself.
However, Chiliza said he understood the shock surrounding the issue because if indeed it was true, it would be for the first time in the history of the Zulu nation.
He called for calm, urging people to wait for His Majesty to complete his cultural isolation on January 15 where he would appear in public to speak at the ceremony of the first fruit.
He said the king might officially inform amakhosi and the nation at large about his decision.
“The problem here is that the appointment of the traditional prime minister is the prerogative of the king and there was nothing that compels His Majesty to consult anyone, so the dismissal too is his prerogative, but we are hoping that the king would officially inform us as amakhosi and the nation during Umkhosi Wokweshwama (tasting of the first fruit ceremony)."
In statement issued by Buthelezi on Saturday, he said the king had not informed him about the decision except by a WhatsApp message from the king’s aide, Prince Simphiwe Zulu, indicating that it had shocked him since the king had always summoned him wherever there was a matter he wanted to discuss with him.
In his capacity as the Cogta MEC, Buthelezi is expected to address amakhosi (traditional leaders) in Ulundi next week and is expected to speak on the issue.
In another shocking development, the king has dissolved the Ingonyama Trust Board by sacking the board, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, over the allegations of mismanagement of funds.
However, the board has defied the king, telling him he did not have such constitutional powers to dissolve it.
In a statement issued by the board, it also questioned the constitutionality of the king’s decision to appoint a law firm to institute a forensic investigation without consultation with the board.
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Daily News