Some traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal accuse Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister to the Zulu King, of creating confusion in their ranks.
This comes after it emerged that Buthelezi had called a meeting of Amakhosi on the same day that King Misuzulu kaZwelithini scheduled a sacred ritual ceremony with them.
The King expects traditional leaders to arrive at KwaKhangela Amankengane Royal Palace on Thursday, 24 October, before the sacred ukuThela Amanzi ritual, which is set to take place at 10pm.
In previous rituals, in which new clan leaders are introduced to the Monarch, the Amakhosi arrive with gifts for the King in the morning and spend the day at the palace before participating in the ritual, which can only be performed at night.
However, Buthelezi, who is also the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KZN, has called a meeting of Amakhosi at 10am on the same day at the former KZN legislature in Ulundi.
Some traditional leaders told Scrolla.Africa having these two separate meetings on the same day confuses them and confirms what they see as the fallout and lack of communication between the King and Buthelezi.
“We are seriously concerned about this,” said one traditional leader. “The cracks between Buthelezi and the King might result from these two meetings.”
On the other hand, Buthelezi is said to be trying hard to strengthen his relationship with the King. There are rumours that he has employed Prince Qaphelani Zulu from the oSuthu Royal house in his MEC’s office in a bid to do so.
Last week, Scrolla.Africa reported that the King was unhappy that Buthelezi had appointed the so-called “royal rebels” to a committee that deals with clan disputes.
The King’s unhappiness is said to be fuelled by royal family members from KwaMinyamanzi, who are allegedly plotting to remove Buthelezi as prime minister.
Buthelezi has since rejected the allegations of a growing rift between himself and the King as “frivolous rumours”.
His spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, rejected allegations that Buthelezi’s meeting with the Amakhosi in Ulundi was planned to clash with that organised by the King.
“Amakhosi will have their meeting in Ulundi at 10am. The ukuThela Amanzi ceremony is in the evening at 10pm. Hence, there is no clash of meetings,” Mzila said.
Pictured above: King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has called a meeting of Amakhosi on the same das his traditional prime minister, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, is meeting with them.
Source: X
