Zulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini has fired chief Thanduyise Mzimela as chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board, but last Wednesday Mzimela refused to accept the service letter from the Pietermaritzburg sheriff.
In the notice of revocation letter dated September 23, the king informed Mzimela that his continued service on the board was at his behest as “my appointed nominee”.
MisuZulu said he decided to remove him from the board for neglecting or being derelict in his performance as the board chairperson. “You failed to act in the best interest of the Ingonyama Trust Board… and failed to act in my best interest as the sole trustee of the Ingonyama Trust.
“Premised on the aforesaid, I, king MisuZulu KaZwelithini, hereby, with immediate effect, revoke, rescind, and terminate any and all powers of attorney, all authority and delegation, rights, and powers given to you in your capacity as the appointed chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board.
“From this date forward, you have no authority to act on behalf of the Ingonyama Trust Board. Therefore, this document serves as a notice of revocation to you and all parties that receive the same”.
The defiant Mzimela refused to accept the termination letter, an apparent indication that he might challenge his dismissal.
“After determining that the defendant refused to accept the letter, I properly served this letter by affixing a copy thereof to the principal reception desk of such a place of business,” noted deputy sheriff Ntokozo Nhlabathi.
However, on October 12, MisuZulu nominated and appointed chief Mabudu Israel Tembe as chairperson of the board.
Meanwhile, there is confusion on whether the king has also fired his spokesperson Prince Afrika Zulu. In another letter dated August 17, MisuZulu, through Prince Simphiwe Zuma, expressed concern to Prince Afrika about how he was handling his duties as spokesperson of the royal family.
The letter stated MisuZulu, referred to as Isilo, had received complaints from various people, including the Office of Premier in Gauteng, the Office of the Deputy President, members of Isilo’s Close Protection Unit, journalists, and Isilo’s office staff. This included , stated the letter, a grievous complaint from a female member of staff who complained of verbal abuse .
“What also disappointed Isilo is a letter that appeared on social media platforms, which is purported to have been written by you. The said letter is on the letterhead of his majesty, while policy dictates that Isilo is the only one who uses it.”
The author said MisuZulu “noticed the offensive content in the letter that Prince Afrika later claimed was fake. “And whatever the truth, Omdala feels that this tarnishes the office, the royal family and iSihlalo,” read the letter.
“Isilo has instructed me to advise you that he has decided to relieve you with immediate effect of any and all responsibility he gave you.”
However, on Monday, Prince Afrika issued a statement on behalf of MisuZulu, rejecting the ongoing speculations regarding the appointment of the new traditional prime minister as “premature and uncalled for”.
He referred to the recent Sunday World article in which the King snubbed the selection of Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi as a candidate.
