Hell has broken loose between AmaZulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini and the provincial government led by Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
In a scathing letter on Tuesday authored by newly appointed traditional Prime Minister to the monarch and the Zulu nation, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, he held no punches, lambasting the provincial government.
Contract termination
At the centre of the schism is the booting out of the long-serving praise singer and cultural advisor to the king, Buzetsheni Mdletshe.
The provincial government defended itself by saying that the move was consistent with the National Treasury’s decision, where it ordered various departments to cut their budgets, citing fiscal constraints.
“As part of the process, the agreement between the office of the Premier and Mavukefile (PTY) Ltd was reviewed, and a decision was taken to invoke the provisions of the clause 16.3 of the said agreement, and to terminate the agreement with effect from 30 April 2024,” reads the letter of termination.
Mavukefile is a company that was contracted to the KZN office of the Premier, which Mdletshe withdraws his salary from.
But Buthelezi says Mdletshe was used as collateral damage for refusing to bow to political pressure.
Microphone snatching
He further claimed that Mdletshe was being punished for the so-called mic snatching incident that happened in KwaCeza, outside Ulundi, in northern KwaZulu-Natal in March.
The ceremony, which was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa to commemorate the life of one of AmaZulu’s revered monarchs, King DiniZulu, was turned into a spectacle when ANC KZN chairman Siboniso Duma grabbed a microphone from Buthelezi, accusing him of being out of order.
Duma, who is also the provincial MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs, subsequently ordered Mdletshe to introduce the king to the cultural norm of praising singing.
But Mdletshe politely declined, saying it would be against royal protocol.
Government wields power
During the scuffle, Duma is heard charging in IsiZulu: “Uhulumeni unamandla.” Loosely translated, the government has power.
In a letter seen by Sunday World, Buthelezi explained that the decision had angered the king, who was apparently not informed of what would have informed the unceremonious departure of Mdletshe.
“His Majesty King MisuZulu has expressed his extreme displeasure in the disrespectful manner which the KZN government continues to treat him. In the latest incident, the office of the Premier has terminated the employment contract of his Majesty’s cultural advisor, Inyosi Buzetsheni Mdletshe,” said Buthelezi.
He added: “This is used to punish Mr Mdletshe for what happened in kwaCeza.”
Respected cultural advisor
Mdletshe, a respected narrator of Zulu oral history, had served the late king Goodwill Zweltihini kaBhekuZulu before MisuZulu took over the reigns and decided to continue with him.
The latest events are likely to impact the love and relationship that the king enjoys with the governing ANC in KwaZulu-Natal.
Both the IFP and the ruling party have been jostling to get an endorsement from the king. Despite MisuZulu being an apolitical figure, his backing has a major influence on the electoral support of mainly the communities led by tribal councils.
Bongi Gwala, spokesman for the KZN cabinet, said Buthelezi utterances had no basis.
“There’s no basis that there’s sour relations between the provincial government and the king. We respect royal affairs and believe that it should not be discussed publicly. But the reports are misleading,” said Gwala.
He stated that Mdletshe had reached retiring age, but he was hired as per the late king’s request for an extended period of two years following the provision in the government prescripts. The arrangement has apparently come to an end. The condition, according to Gwala was that Mdletshe would train someone who would take over the responsibilities.
