Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Pongola: The Zulu King is sending a royal delegation to Zambia to join mourners bidding farewell to Ngoni King Mphezeni IV, who passed away at the age of 75. His funeral takes place on Tuesday.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu of eZibindini Royal House, said His Majesty decided to send the delegation to Lusaka to honour the life and legacy of King Mphezeni IV. The delegation will be led by Prince Thulani and the newly appointed representative of the Zulu King, Inkosi Malusi Zondi.
Prince Thulani said the passing of King Mphezeni IV is a loss to all who hold African tradition and unity dear.
King Mphezeni IV of the Ngoni Kingdom is a descendant of King Zwangendaba, who fled KwaZulu-Natal after being defeated by King Shaka during the Mfecane wars and settled in Zambia.
Estcourt: The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed the sentencing of a 40-year-old man to life imprisonment by the Estcourt Regional Court after he was convicted of raping his minor daughter. The offences took place in Weenen in 2022.
The accused was the biological father of the complainant and lived with her and his other children. The complainant’s mother, who was ill, lived with other relatives. The complainant cooked and cleaned for the accused in her mother’s absence. In 2022, the accused raped her twice, in March and November, keeping his firearm visible during the attacks. He then threatened to kill her if she reported the matter.
Prosecutor Zamaswazi Ndlovu led the evidence of the complainant as a single witness, as both her mother and grandmother had died before the matter went to trial. Their witness statements were submitted to the court as part of the state’s case, along with medical evidence.
Durban: The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has welcomed a Durban High Court decision setting aside the irregular awarding of a R7 billion tender during the previous administration for work on a government precinct.
The tender was for the construction of a central hub to house all provincial government departments under one roof, improving efficiency and service delivery. Once completed, the complex would save KZN Public Works half a billion rand per year in rental costs currently paid for spaces occupied by various department staff.
Despite the promises the precinct held, the project stalled almost immediately, leaving government departments scattered across the province and costing the state heavily in delays year after year.
Pictured above: King Misuzulu kaZwelithini sent a royal delegation to attend the funeral of Ngoni King Mphezeni in Zambia. His Majesty’s coffin was paraded through the streets of Lusaka as the country mourned his passing.
Image source: Supplied
