Celani Sikhakhane
Princess Thembi Ndlovu, sister to the late Zulu King Zwelithini, has accused Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi of “selling IFP votes” to President Cyril Ramaphosa to get King Misuzulu inaugurated.
The accusation came to light via a leaked voice note sent by Princess Nondumiso, another royal aunt, to a royal family member of Nkombabantu.
Princess Nondumiso revealed that Princess Thembi levelled the accusation during a long phone call with Prince Buthelezi.
“She phoned the prince of kwaPhindangene and told him that they gave up on him because he has decided to sell IFP votes to the ANC, so that Ramaphosa could recognise and inaugurate Misuzulu kaZwelithini,” said Princess Nondumiso on the leaked voice note.
Princess Nondumiso went on to say that King Misuzulu is winning the struggle for the throne because the faction of royal rebels is itself divided and bogged down by infighting.
Buthelezi released a statement to clarify that the meeting between him and Ramaphosa, referred to in the voice note, was strictly about the royal family dispute and had nothing to do with politics.
After meeting Ramaphosa, Buthelezi attended a meeting held by the task team led by Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and former KZN Premier Willies Mchunu.
Princess Thembi told Scrolla.Africa that she won’t be able to comment because she is not feeling well.
Princess Nondumiso told Scrolla.Africa that she did not want to talk to the media.
“Go back to that person who leaked the voice note. All I know is that the royal family issues are not discussed in the mountains and in shebeens,” said Princess Nondumiso.
King Misuzulu was expected to be inaugurated in the first week of December but his rebel uncle, Prince Mbonisi of eKhwezi, filed an interdict to block the ceremony.
On the 6th and 7th of December the royal family will be in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to deal with disputes over the throne and the will of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
