By Celani Sikhakhane
- Zulu Royal Chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi has written to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, demanding urgent clarity on the Tongaat Hulett transaction.
- The letter follows a weekend meeting between King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and businessman Robert Gumede, after which the King’s associates said they felt given “empty promises.”
The Tongaat Hulett crisis is far from over, with the Zulu Royal Household escalating its concerns to Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, accusing the business rescue process of leaving cane growers and traditional leaders without clear information.
The letter was sent to Minister Tau this week, following a weekend meeting in Durban between King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and businessman Robert Gumede and his associates, where they briefed the King on plans to revive the province’s economy through Tongaat Hulett Limited.
Gumede and the Vision Group completed their purchase of the sugar giant in March, but the letter raises concerns over a further, related transaction involving the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
In the letter, seen by Scrolla.Africa, Zulu Royal Chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi told Minister Tau that an urgent meeting with the IDC is needed to avoid a crisis driven by growing mistrust.
“I write in my capacity as the Zulu Royal Chancellor to express the serious and growing concern of the Zulu Royal Household and the affected communities regarding the continued absence of clear, authoritative and comprehensive information concerning the current position of Tongaat Hulett Limited and the proposed transaction involving the Industrial Development Corporation and Vision Group. Tongaat Hulett is not an ordinary commercial enterprise. Its operations are deeply embedded in the economy, history and social fabric of KwaZulu-Natal,” Zondi wrote.
He said the lack of information is fuelling speculation, mistrust and fear over the company’s future ownership, governance, funding and operations, and that those carrying the greatest economic and social risk, including amakhosi and traditional councils, sugarcane growers, employees, local businesses, contractors and affected communities, appear not to have been properly consulted or briefed.
The complaint follows a mass protest led by a business forum against Tongaat Hulett last week.
Scrolla.Africa understands that following the weekend meeting between the King and Gumede, there was unhappiness within the King’s circle over what some felt were empty promises, despite Gumede’s stated commitment to save the company and empower the King’s subjects.
Gumede asked Scrolla.Africa to send questions via WhatsApp, saying he was unable to take calls, but had not responded by time of publication.
IDC’s Raymond Jones and Minister Tau’s spokesperson, Kaamil Alli, could also not be reached and did not respond to questions.
Zondi has requested a full written response from Minister Tau within five business days, including proposed dates for a stakeholder briefing and the names of senior officials authorised to engage on behalf of the department and the IDC.
“Should this request not receive the urgency and seriousness it deserves, the Zulu Royal Household and the affected stakeholders will be compelled to consider all appropriate lawful measures available to secure transparency, accountability and meaningful participation in this process.
“Our objective is not to obstruct a lawful and sustainable solution for Tongaat Hulett. It is to ensure that any solution protects the company’s strategic assets, preserves employment, supports growers, advances meaningful transformation and recognises the legitimate economic interests of the people and traditional communities of KwaZulu-Natal. This matter demands immediate intervention. Continued silence is neither responsible nor sustainable,” Zondi wrote.
Pictured above: Zulu Royal Chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi, who has written to Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau demanding urgent clarity on the Tongaat Hulett transaction.
Image source: Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
