By Celani Sikhakhane
- Inkosi Msiyane Xulu has stopped the salaries of nine headmen accused of plotting against him in a land and mineral dispute.
- The dispute intensified after the headmen refused to sign a security form, and Inkosi Xulu survived two assassination attempts.
The senior traditional leader of the Xulu clan in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, has stopped the salaries of nine headmen (izinduna) after they were accused of plotting to kill him in a dispute over land and minerals.
Inkosi Msiyane Xulu of Mnyathi village called a community meeting to discuss his safety and concerns about the Land Trust that manages their coal- and timber-rich land. He said the trust’s committee members should be elected every five years, but his headmen had controlled it for over 15 years since the land was returned under the Restitution of Land Rights Act.
He claimed that after he took action against corruption and the illegal sale of land and timber, he survived two assassination attempts.
“Ironically, when I called this meeting, the nine headmen accused of corruption didn’t attend. They didn’t even inform the community,” said Inkosi Xulu.
He also said his brother, a key witness in a court case about corruption on their land, was recently killed.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister of the Xulu clan, Dr Funokwakhe Xulu, and the leader of the Xulu Regiments, Senziwanjani Xulu, decided that Inkosi Xulu should no longer authorise the salaries of the nine headmen.
Dr Funokwakhe Xulu said the dispute started when the headmen refused to sign a threat analysis form, which would have allowed the SAPS to provide security for Inkosi Xulu.
“They refused to sign it even after the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) tried to persuade them. So, our traditional leader is using his powers to withhold their salaries until Cogta MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi decides otherwise,” said Dr Xulu.
Cogta KZN spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila promised to respond but did not do so before the deadline.
Pictured above: Inkosi Msiyane Xulu of Mnyathi village, Inkosi Gadla Xulu of oDidini in Nkandla, leader of the Xulu Regiments Senziwanjani Xulu, and the Prime Minister of the clan, Dr Funokwakhe Cedric Xulu.
Image source: Xulu clan
