Durban — Senior Zulu royal house member Prince Mbonisi Zulu was shocked to learn that his contract with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has been terminated.

Prince Mbonisi was employed as a researcher for the Traditional Leadership Dispute Resolution and Claims Commission, which falls within Cogta and is now headed by MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi, who is also the Zulu traditional prime minister.

“I will be lying in claiming any knowledge of the letter or the termination of my contract.

“This is the first that I am hearing of this, and because no correspondence has been sent to me it is difficult to say much at this stage,” said Prince Mbonisi, when contacted by the Sunday Tribune.

The letter states that the termination, which takes effect from August 31, is in line with the structure of his contract.

“The term of your contract was such that your contract will terminate once the post you occupy is permanently filled, which will be the case on 31 August 2024,” reads the letter.

It further instructs him to return all the tools of the trade that he had used during his tenure, which include a vehicle, laptop, cellphone, and access cards and office keys. In addition to this, it cautions the prince against any use of intellectual property.

“You are further reminded that all intellectual property right of whatsoever nature belonging to the employer remains at all times vested in the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs,” the letter states.

The contents of the letter generated a buzz on social media, with some suggesting that this was a witch-hunt against the prince.

While it has been suggested that Prince Zulu’s termination was part of the power struggle and the battle for the throne within the Zulu royal house, he would not be drawn on this.

“As and when the letter is received, I will make up my mind on its nature and determine if there is action to take in relation to its contents,” he said.

Prince Zulu had thrown his name into the hat to succeed the late king Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, claiming that he was the rightful heir to the throne.

However, the attempt did not succeed because he was born out of wedlock, and King Misuzulu emerged as the successor.

Another royal who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that Prince Zulu was axed because he had harboured ambitions of becoming king.

“This is a clear case of dealing with someone that is viewed as posing a threat against the reigning king.

“He was never going to last long in this position,” the royal insisted.

Attempts to get comment from MEC Buthelezi and Cogta were unsuccessful at the time of going to print.

Sunday Tribune