By Sihle Mavuso
The long-running legal battle between Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi of the IFP and KZN MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi of the ANC, has been settled out of court.
Buthelezi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the traditional prime minister of the Zulu monarch and nation, was suing Simelane-Mngadi for R10-million over comments she made about him during an ANC rally in Vryheid ahead of the 29 May elections.
He denied the allegations and wanted compensation, arguing that his good name was damaged.
However, the two, now serving in the government of provincial unity led by Premier Thami Ntuli, settled the matter and withdrew it from the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
“Kindly take notice that the plaintiff (Buthelezi) hereby withdraws its action against the defendant (Simelane-Mngadi), the matter having been settled,” reads the official notice of withdrawal in court records.
The notice is dated 25 June 2024, meaning that it was rubber-stamped by the court while the cabinet was introduced to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in Ulundi on Tuesday.
Buthelezi confirmed the latest developments, while Simelane-Mngadi could not immediately comment.
The latest settlement follows another one where Buthelezi buried the hatchet with Siboniso Duma, the provincial chairperson of the ANC who is also serving as the MEC for Transport and Human Settlement in the provincial unity government.
Duma challenged the appointment of Buthelezi as King Misuzulu’s traditional prime minister in January this year.
Later in March, Duma grabbed the microphone from Buthelezi during a royal event in KwaCeza, further straining their relationship.
Pictured above: Buthelezi (left) and Simelane-Mngadi (right) have settled their legal battle.
Source: Sihle Mavuso
