By Celani Sikhakhane
- Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa met King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at eMashobeni Royal Palace on Tuesday to discuss security concerns in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
- Discussions covered rising border crime around Pongola and the King’s own safety, after his police security detail was reportedly reduced.
Security around King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and KwaZulu-Natal’s troubled borders dominated talks between the Zulu monarch and Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Bantu Holomisa.
Holomisa visited King Misuzulu at eMashobeni Royal Palace in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
Members and commanders of the South African National Defence Force also attended the meeting.
The talks focused on national security and safety problems in parts of KwaZulu-Natal where military involvement could be needed.
Border security was among the major concerns.
The meeting came after King Misuzulu recently met Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
During that meeting, the two leaders discussed illegal immigration and problems caused by porous borders.
The latest talks also raised concerns about cross border crime around Pongola.
Stolen vehicles from different parts of South Africa are being taken through the Pongola area and across the border to Mozambique.
The fight against border crime has also come at a deadly cost.
Community activists fighting border crime in KwaZulu-Natal have been killed.
Holomisa said Tuesday’s talks covered security coordination in Pongola and surrounding areas.
“The discussions included security coordination and surrounding areas of Pongola, the role of the SANDF, the welfare and recognition of the military veterans, institutional cooperation and opportunities for constructive collaboration between the Zulu Monarch and the Department of Defence and Military Veterans,” Holomisa said.
He said military commanders attended the meeting so they could hear the security concerns directly.
This would allow the relevant structures within the defence force to consider the issues raised during the meeting.
King Misuzulu’s personal security was another major issue.
The meeting discussed how the defence force could contribute to protecting the King.
Concerns over King Misuzulu’s safety have grown after the Police Ministry reduced his security detail, including officers guarding royal palaces.
The King has also faced concerns over possible poisoning.
King Mswati III of Eswatini previously stepped in over concerns about King Misuzulu’s safety.
Members of Eswatini’s royal army were deployed to assist King Misuzulu and also serve as his chefs following poisoning threats.
Not all the details of Tuesday’s discussions have been made public because of the sensitive nature of the security issues.
Zulu King spokesperson and Ibamba Bukhosi of the Buthelezi clan Inkosi Mpikayise Buthelezi told Scrolla.Africa that the meeting had gone well.
But Inkosi Buthelezi said he could not reveal some of what was discussed because of security concerns.
The talks have opened the door to greater cooperation between the Zulu monarch and the Defence Department as concerns continue over border crime, royal security and safety in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Pictured above: Representatives of the Zulu monarch meet Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Bantu Holomisa and South African National Defence Force commanders at eMashobeni Royal Palace to discuss security.
Image source: Zulu Royal Kingdom
