Celani Sikhakhane
Members of the Mchunu clan are considering turning their backs on Ngizwe Mchunu, after the former UKhozi FM DJ was arrested for inciting violence and looting in July.
Some of Mchunu’s family members have expressed concern that his stunt will create unnecessary political enemies for the radio host.
In the Zulu Nation, people of the same clan name, in this case the Mchunus, can trace their history to a common ancestor. This means all Mchunus, wherever they are in the world, are related.
It is in this context that Senzo Mchunu, the Minister for Water and Sanitation, has called a meeting with some members of the clan to discuss Ngizwe’s behavior.
Ngizwe was accused of instigating lootings and violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal in July, and his subsequent arrest was widely covered in the media.
After Jacob Zuma was arrested, Ngizwe said: “I fear what is going to happen in this country if our president is not released from prison within three days. Cyril Ramaphosa, Judge Raymond Zondo, the time for the meetings you are holding is over, release Zuma from prison, or hell will break loose.”
Senzo Mchunu told Scrolla.Africa that the clan is not happy about Ngizwe’s comments made against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“We haven’t convened any meeting but all five Chiefs of AmaChunu are sharing the very same concerns about Ngizwe. I have also received calls where I’m being asked whether Ngizwe’s attraction to the president has something to do with me since I’m in the cabinet. I said no,” Senzo said.
He also said that it was disturbing for one of your own to be seen showing disrespect to the sitting president.
“What he is doing was never done even to the apartheid presidents.”
A source reported that Ngizwe said the minister had approached the clan about Ngizwe’s behaviour.
“He [Ngizwe] is angry and he believes that [Senzo] Mchunu is doing this because he hates former president Jacob Zuma. He even complained that when he was struggling in life, Senzo Mchunu was nowhere to be seen.”
Ngizwe’s spokesperson, Education Khanyile, said they’ve decided not to comment on the issue.
