AmaZulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini is facing an internal revolt over the appointment of a new board chairperson to head the Ingonyama Trust – a concern also expressed by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who is the king’s traditional prime minister.
“As the author of Ingonyama Trust Act, in 1994 I placed the land of what constituted KwaZulu under a trust, with the sole trustee being Ingonyama, the king.
“In 1997, the act was amended to create a board. The act, as amended, gave his majesty the king discretion to appoint a chairperson. Accordingly, our late king His Majesty Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuZulu appointed former judge Jerome Ngwenya “for an indefinite period”. I have not been notified of any changes as far as that is concerned,” said Buthelezi.
Additionally, a strong “cabal of amakhosi” (traditional leaders) aligned to the former board chairperson – retired Judge Jerome Ngwenya – are as concerned as Buthelezi about plans to nullify MisuZulu’s decision to endorse Thanduyise Mzimela to the influential position.
Spokespersons in the palace would not be reached for comment.
Mzimela leads the Mzimela traditional authority covering the area of Mthunzini, KZN north coast. His father is the late inkosi Impiyezintombi Mzimela, former national chairperson of the house of traditional leaders and an IFP strongman.
A traditional leader who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sunday World the new Zulu king’s plan was likely to hit political rocks of rejection.
“Inkosi Mzimela is not the man for the job. The Ingonyama Trust is facing massive challenges of ensuring we defend the land which is in the hands of traditional leaders. The board needs uncompromising leaders who will defend the land at all costs,” the traditional leader said.
But there are “certain powerful figures within the ANC backing Mzimela for the top position “in order to gain an upper hand in the affairs of the Ingonyama Trust”.
Ngwenya has been the chairperson since the constitution of the trust at the inception of democracy in the late 1990s.
Ingonyama Trust controls about 2.8-million hectares of land in the province. It collects taxes through the leasing of agricultural land and other businesses occupying the Ingonyama land.
Attempts to solicit a comment from Mzimela drew a blank.
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