The Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) has appointed an interim chief executive officer (CEO) to steer the trust, tasking one of its senior board members, Inkosi Sibonelo Mkhize, to help him learn the ropes without any hindrance.
The board decided to appoint Siyamdumisa Vilakazi, its current chief financial officer (CFO), after the abrupt resignation of Advocate Vela Mngwengwe as CEO.
Vilakazi’s appointment was communicated to the staff via an internal memo. It was signed off by Advocate Linda Zama, the deputy chairperson of the board.
Internal memo
“This notice serves to inform all staff that the board of the Ingonyama Trust, at its meeting held on 27 June 2025, resolved to temporarily assign the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Siyamdumisa Vilakazi, with the responsibilities and the duties of the Head of Secretariat.
“In addition, the Board further resolved that Inkosi S.N Mkhize be assigned to assist Mr Vilakazi with selected obligations and duties of the Chief Executive Officer, in order to ensure stability, continuity and adequate support during this transitional period.
“These temporary arrangements take effect from 01 July 2025. They will remain in place until the recruitment process for a new CEO/Head of Secretariat is concluded and a suitable candidate is appointed,” read part of the memo to staff regarding the appointment.
Mngwengwe’s last day at work was June 30 2025. And his exit comes after he had a frosty relationship with King Misuzulu, the chairperson of the board. That made his stay at the entity tasked with managing millions of hectares of mineral-rich tribal land across KwaZulu-Natal untenable.
Fight for control of entity
Between October and December 2024, there was a bitter fight for control of the Ingonyama Trust Board. That was shortly after King Misuzulu announced that he was going to assume the chairperson of the board. The position has in the past been held on his behalf by nominees.
The move sparked a pushback by the board and Mngwengwe. In one press conference during the feud, Mngwengwe said they have the responsibility of saving Misuzulu from himself. This implied that he was making legally flawed decisions as the chairperson of the board.
In response, Misuzulu called an impromptu meeting with Amakhosi (traditional leaders – Chiefs) in Ulundi. There, he publicly singled out Mngwengwe and certain board members for refusing to accept his authority.
“That board and the CEO, Mngwengwe, are not accepting me, they are shutting me out. They treat me like nothing and take decisions in my absence,” the king said at the meeting in isiZulu.
