- The Mkhwanazi clan says King Misuzulu’s representative sold part of their ancestral land and ocean to AfriForum for development.
- They took the king to court over the appointment of Qiniso Ncube as his representative, but lost the case last week.
The traditional leadership of the Mkhwanazi clan is fuming after King Misuzulu kaZwelithini appointed a royal representative they claim is selling off their ancestral land.
Inkosi Ntokozo Mkhwanazi said Qiniso Ncube, the king’s appointed Iso leSilo in Mtubatuba, has already sold part of the coastline to AfriForum. He made the claims after being blocked from meeting King Misuzulu at the eMashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, last weekend.
According to the king’s spokesperson Princess Londiwe Ngcamu, Mkhwanazi said he refused to withdraw a High Court case against the king over Ncube’s appointment. He told the palace he wanted a legal backup for the clan’s complaint.
“He revealed that Ncube is selling their land to AfriForum, who are said to be planning development there,” said Princess Londiwe.
The Mkhwanazi clan says Ncube has no right to represent the land of their forefathers, Inkosi Mtubatuba and Inkosi Somkhele, and reject his appointment.
They have also accused Ncube of falsely claiming to be the traditional leader of the Ncube clan in Mtubatuba. But last weekend, the Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed the clan’s bid to stop his appointment.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi weighed in last week, saying Ncube was only appointed as Iso leSilo, not as a chief or traditional leader.
AfriForum and Ncube did not respond to requests for comment.
Pictured above: Inkosi Ntokozo Mkhwanazi with Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Image source: Zulu Royal family
