By Celani Sikhakhane
- King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s royal household says only the monarch can command Zulu regiments and no such order has been given to anyone.
- Bhinca president Ngizwe Mchunu has told Zulu Prime Minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi he will keep mobilising hostel-based amabutho and no one can stop him.
The Zulu royal household has drawn a clear line. King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has not ordered the amabutho out. Anyone mobilising Zulu regiments for anti-immigration protests is doing so without royal authority.
Ngizwe Mchunu says he does not care.
The King released a statement last week making clear that the protests belong to South Africans with genuine concerns about crime and illegal immigration in their areas.
But on the question of the regiments, the King’s position is firm. Only he commands the regiments. That instruction has not been given to anyone.
The Bhinca president has told Zulu Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi directly that he will continue mobilising hostel-based regiments across the country for anti-illegal immigration marches. Mchunu is one of the driving forces behind the March and March movement, which has a national shutdown planned for 30 June.
“No one will ever stop me from mobilising amabutho to take part in anti-illegal protests,” Mchunu said.
“The crisis that we are facing as a country affects all South Africans, even the hostel dwellers.”
Buthelezi fired back. He said the King is commander-in-chief of the Zulu regiments and only the King can send them into action.
“No one is allowed to mobilise regiments without the instruction of His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini,” Buthelezi said.
The royal household also raised concern about the use of traditional Zulu regalia and weapons at the marches, warning it damages the cultural structure of the Zulu Nation.
Buthelezi went further, saying only two people are known and accepted by the Zulu Monarch in connection with the protests. He named March and March organiser Jacinta maNgobese-Zuma and Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba, saying both conduct themselves without breaking the law.
Mchunu is not backing down. He compared his mobilisation to the 1976 student uprising, arguing that no one sanctioned those learners to take to the streets either.
Pictured above: Ngizwe Mchunu told Zulu Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi that no one will stop him from mobilising amabutho for anti-illegal immigration protests.
Image source: Supplied
