Traditional prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi. Picture: X/ Zululand District Municipality
Zulu King MisuZulu ka Zwelithini has fired his traditional prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi with immediate effect, saying he would give reasons for the move “in due course”.
The king has also suspended members of the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) — including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer — pending an investigation into alleged potential breaches of the Public Finance Management Act.
The Mail & Guardian reported earlier this month that MisuZulu was under increasing pressure to fire Buthelezi over what were seen as actions undermining the stability of the KwaZulu-Natal coalition government.
In a statement dated 25 December but seen on Friday, the king said the role of traditional prime minister was one of “unwavering service to the throne and the nation, embodying the sacred bond between the monarchy and the people (and) steeped in tradition, wisdom and a commitment to the well-being and unity of the Zulu kingdom”.
“Today, I address you with a heavy heart as I announce my withdrawal with the immediate effect of the name of Rev Thulasizwe Dominic Buthelezi (MPL) from this esteemed position. Reasons for the withdrawal are to be shared with traditional leaders and the nation in due course, as we are still observing uMkhosi until the end of January 2025,” he said.
MisuZulu urged the Zulu nation to unite behind the process of appointing a successor to Buthelezi, a member of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) who is also the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs.
Sources have previously told the M&G that provincial leaders from both the IFP and the ANC were concerned that Buthelezi was using the post of Zulu prime minister in a “destructive” way to build his profile.
Earlier this month KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli, who is also the IFP’s provincial chairperson, scuppered the official opening of Buthelezi’s Ulundi office in a move seen as imposing his authority on the MEC.
King MisuZulu appointed Buthelezi as Zulu prime minister in January — despite objections from members of the royal family — to replace former IFP president Mangosuthu Buthelezi who died in September 2023, having served in the traditional role for a succession of monarchs.
The axed Buthelezi is also understood to have played a role in the breakdown in the relationship between the king and the ITB, of which he is the trustee and chairperson. MisuZulu has previously called for the dissolution of the board for refusing to enact his instructions, including appointing service providers to conduct an audit of the nearly three million hectares of land it administers on his behalf.
A separate statement from the king said the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and other implicated board members had been issued with a formal notice of suspension pending the outcome of investigations. It said interim governance responsibilities would be overseen by MisuZulu himself and the remaining unaffected board member.
But the board members on Friday said the king did not have authority to suspend anyone in the Ingonyama Trust.
In a media statement, they said the suspension followed a “surprising” letter from the king in early December notifying them of the appointment of one Stephen Jabulani Rakwena of Van Rensburg Kruger Rakwena Attorneys to undertake specific trustee functions.
MisuZulu’s letter, said the board, also conveyed that the monarch was commissioning an independent forensic audit of the financial affairs of the Ingonyama Trust, the Ingonyama Trust Board and the Ingonyama Holdings for the past five years.
The subsequent letters this week suspending the board members were distributed by Rakwena, they said, adding: “His Majesty, the chairperson obviously does not have authority to suspend anyone in the Ingonyama Trust, however he has purported to do so … Mr. Rakwena has not been appointed by the board or anyone delegated by the board hence he is not acting on behalf of the Ingonyama Trust.”
*This story has been updated with the king also suspending members of the Ingonyama Trust Board.
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