There is no end to the alleged rift between the traditional prime minister to the AmaZulu nation and the monarchy, with sources claiming that Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and King MisuZulu kaZwelithini no longer see eye to eye to the extent he has stopped being the king’s adviser.
However, Buthelezi’s spokesperson Liezl van der Merwe rejected any insinuation that suggested there exists disunity between the king and the founding president of the IFP.
Van der Merwe said Buthelezi continued to enjoy a cordial relationship with the king and that any suggestions to the contrary, and that he had relinquished his position, “were blatant lies”.
“We reject any attempts to drive disunity amongst the AmaZulu nation by the circulation of such blatant lies. The traditional prime minister continues to serve at the behest of his Majesty King MisuZulu kaZwelithini, for as long as iSilo requires his services, support, and guidance,” Van der Merwe said.
However, insiders who spoke Sunday World on condition of anonymity are adamant Buthelezi has resigned, claiming that “the pair no longer sing from the same hymn book”.
The insiders claim their relationship soured over the insistence of MisuZulu to appoint Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela to the strategic position of Ingonyama chairperson, whereas Buthelezi’s preference was to have retired judge Jerome Ngwenya continue in the position he has held since 2000.
“The truth is Umntwana (Buthelezi) has told some of the amakhosi that he will no longer serve the king. His view is that the king was going astray. The general feeling is that some prominent businesspeople have circled themselves around the king and want a bigger slice of the land under the Ingonyama Trust,” said an inkosi.
Another traditional leader and key IFP member said: “Umntwana complained to us that the king was no longer listening to his advice, and he had been captured by the ANC,” he said.
Last week the ANC top leadership, including its president, visited KwaZulu-Natal and handed 10 bulls to the king.
The gesture, according to sources, ruffled feathers, with claims “the king was being bought by the ANC”. However, the adviser to the king Prof Jabulani Maphalala denied the bulls should be seen as the king’s allegiance to the ANC. The ANC KZN leadership would not comment, with an ANC senior member who declined to be identified saying, “the king is also our king”.
Buthelezi is one of the prominent figures who stood by the AmaZulu king during the bitter battle over who was the rightful heir to the throne. He has been the traditional prime minister since 1954, serving King MisuZulu’s grandfather and father.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
