Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso has notified the Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini about his intention to suspend the Ingonyama Trust Board amid a rift between the King and the board. On Monday, Zulu nation prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi delivered the letter that the minister wrote to the King at the three-day Traditional Council Strategic Engagement forum in Durban, informing him of the minister’s intention to suspend the board. “As Your Majesty is aware, I have appointed Advocate Marumo Moerane, SC, to conduct an investigation into the affairs of the Ingonyama Trust Board.
“In order to enable the investigation to proceed without any interference by the board members, I am considering placing them on special leave. This process requires that I appoint or terminate only after consulting with you. Therefore, this letter serves to consult you,” Nyhontso’s letter read.
Relations between the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) and the Zulu King, who is the chairperson and sole trustee of the entity, have deteriorated, with the King on Monday criticising the board over the convening of a three-day Traditional Council Strategic Engagement forum in Durban. Buthelezi, who is also the KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, told ITB members at the opening of the forum that the King had decided to withdraw his support for the initiative. “There are many positive aspects to this gathering and its programme.
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But the board did not see fit to present this idea to the King or amakhosi for input,” Buthelezi said. What happened demonstrates a disrespect for the King and his traditional leaders. As a result, the King sent me here today to convey that this event does not have his blessings.
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