By Celani Sikhakhane
- The Somopho Tribal Authority says MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi gave them seven days to pick a new leader and caused deep divisions.
- Inkosi Minenhle Mthembu is out on bail after his own sister and a government worker accused him of sexual assault.
The family of Inkosi Minenhle Mthembu is angry. They say the provincial government is meddling in their family matters.
Mthembu leads the KwaSomopho traditional community near eMpangeni in KwaZulu-Natal.
He is currently out on bail. Police arrested him after his sister and a government worker accused him of rape and sexual assault.
Now, his family is fighting with cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
The family secretary, Lungani Mthembu, said Buthelezi ordered them to choose an acting leader in seven days.
“What is more painful is that the process was not easy and it also left the family deeply divided,” he said.
He said Buthelezi did not show up when they were ready to announce their choice.
Buthelezi said his department has received many complaints about Mthembu since March 2025.
He has started an independent investigation into the traditional leader.
The investigation will look into the sexual assault claims, substance abuse and bad behaviour in public.
It will also check claims that Mthembu failed to work with izinduna in the traditional court.
The department said this investigation is separate from the criminal court case.
Buthelezi said he will take action without fear or favour if he finds that Mthembu broke the rules.
Last year, the Democratic Alliance called for Mthembu to be suspended.
The party said traditional leaders are trusted to protect their communities.
It said it is alarming when a moral leader is accused of a brutal crime.
The party agreed with the police minister, who strongly criticised the incident.
“There can be no space in our society for those who betray public trust, particularly through acts of gender-based violence,” the party said.
Pictured above: The secretary of the Somopho Traditional Authority Lungani Mthembu accused COGTA MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi of causing division in the family.
Image source: Somopho Tribal Authority
