Zulu regiments attack ANC members with pangas

By Celani Sikhakhane

Blood flowed at the 110th anniversary of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo in kwaCeza near Nongoma on Saturday.

Zulu regiments attacked ANC members with pangas and spears after ANC premier candidate Siboniso Duma appeared to disrespect the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation.

KwaCeza is the site where, a 100 years ago, King Dinuzulu prayed one final time before attacking the British army. 

Saturday’s incident happened after Duma interrupted the Traditional Prime Minister to the Monarch Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi and refused to allow him to introduce King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. 

This unfolded in the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa and King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. 

“Shenge you have  embarrassed this beautiful event and became clumsy instead of doing your work to introduce the king,” said Duma after he grabbed the microphone from Buthelezi.

“I am not going to allow this to happen. I call on the King’s Praise Singer Buzetsheni Mdletshe to come forward and introduce our beloved king.”  

Buthelezi kept quiet but didn’t leave the podium. 

As it was done for decades by the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, it is customary that the traditional prime minister introduces His Majesty to the nation, followed by the praise singer.

Seeing this ill-treatment of Buthelezi, Zulu regiments rose up in anger and disapproval and stood in front of the stage shouting war cries.

Buzetsheni Mdletshe, the king’s official praise singer also refused to be the one to introduce His Majesty saying he could not break the royal protocol.

King Misuzulu and President Ramaphosa had already left the venue when the fighting started.

The battle broke out at the packed venue between members from different communities when regiments turned to those who were wearing ANC T-shirts and attacked them with pangas.

Chairperson of Sanco’s Mzala Nxumalo Region, Mlungisi Zungu, told Scrolla.Africa that they were at kwaCeza Hospital to support those who were treated for injuries. 

“About nine comrades who were injured are here. We are worried that a woman is still unconscious. Most of our comrades were beaten on the head. The regiments who did this shameful act of criminality come from the 17 Hostel in uMlazi, South of Durban,” said Zungu.

 The ANC have already made it clear that they will never recognise Buthelezi as the traditional prime minister with their preferred candidate being Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi, the eldest son of the late Prince Mangosuthu. 

Pictured above: ANC members struck with pangas after Sboniso Duma’s attack on King Misuzulu’s  Prime Minister. 

Image source: Supplied