The Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) will continue carrying out its mandate despite attempts to disrupt its operations, acting chief executive Siyamdumisa Vilakazi said on Tuesday. Vilakazi toldThe Witnessthat the three-day Traditional Council Strategic Engagement forum with amakhosi at Durban’s ICC proceeded as scheduled, despite Monday’s controversial announcement — made on the first day of the sitting — by Zulu nation prime minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi. Buthelezi delivered a letter purportedly from Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso, notifying Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini of his intention to suspend the ITB amid claims of a rift between the King and the board.
Vilakazi said the purpose of the session was to brief traditional leaders on the use of Trust funds, address their concerns and provide clarity on governance matters. Despite the prime minister’s announcement on Tuesday, the session went ahead. The focus was on technical matters — how Trust monies are utilised and how Trust land is governed.
“Isilo, the King, is our head, and we exist to serve him. “We have never heard him speak negatively about the ITB, and we cannot claim that he has. “We will not act on the prime minister’s announcement or the delivery of the letter because our work is guided strictly by regulations,” Vilakazi said.
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He added that, in terms of those regulations, when the board chairperson — His Majesty the King — is unavailable, the deputy chairperson, advocate Linda Zama, assumes leadership. He cautioned against any forces attempting to sow discord within the ITB’s operations. Before convening this session, we wrote to the office of His Majesty, as required.
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