By Celani Sikhakhane
- Royal sources say the personal conflict between Prime Minister Buthelezi and Inkosi Zondi is blocking the certificate process under the Traditional Leadership Act.
- When asked about the delay, Buthelezi told Scrolla to go and ask ‘your master Mr Nododile Ndamase’ instead of answering.
Inkosi Malusi Zondi was appointed chief of the Zondi clan in Durban by His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini last year. Months later, he is still waiting for the certificate that would make that recognition official under the law.
Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi serves both as Prime Minister to the Zulu King and as KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. In his government capacity, he is the official responsible for issuing that certificate under the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019. Without it, Zondi’s appointment has no legal standing under the act.
Royal sources told Scrolla.Africa that negotiations with Buthelezi over the certificate had stalled. They believe the breakdown in the relationship between the two men is behind the delay.
“The fight is serious between Buthelezi and Zondi,” a source said.
“I don’t think Buthelezi will ever issue any certificate of recognition to Zondi due to the infighting.”
Zondi’s spokesperson Wonderboy Jaca said they had not lost hope. Buthelezi had indicated the certificate would come, but that processes needed to be followed first.
“We have not received any update, of which we don’t know how long the process will take,” Jaca said.
The delay sits in the middle of a wider battle over Zondi’s position in the royal household. Buthelezi issued an announcement last month that Zondi had been fired as Royal Chancellor with immediate effect. In that same announcement, he referred to Zondi as “Mr” rather than Inkosi, his traditional title.
Zondi rejected the announcement and said the King had not authorised it. A week later, King Misuzulu confirmed he was closing the Royal Chancellor’s office and would redeploy Zondi to a new role.
When Scrolla.Africa put questions to Buthelezi about the certificate delay, he did not address them.
“Please go and ask your master, Mr Nododile Ndamase,” he said.
Buthelezi has previously accused reporter Celani Sikhakhane of working with Ndamase, a former senior official in the King’s private office, after Ndamase commented on the record in a story about the King’s concerns over Buthelezi’s statements about the Ingonyama Trust in parliament.
Pictured above: KZN MEC for Cogta Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Image source: KZNCogta
