King Misuzulu appoints himself chair of Ingonyama Trust

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has fired the Ingonyama Trust Board chairperson, Thanduyise Mzimela, and appointed himself as the new chair of the Trust, which administers rural land in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to the Independent Online, this is the first time since the formation of the Trust in 1994 that the King, as the sole trustee of Ingonyama, will also chair the ITB.

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KING MISUZULU: DISMISSED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

“I place on record that I, the sole Trustee, will resume the position as the Chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board.”

“For a final time, you are hereby demanded to immediately cease and desist from acting as the Chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board as you have no authority to act as such,” said the King.

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‘EMAILED CORRESPONDENCE MET WITH RESISTANCE BY MZIMELA’

During the reign of his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini, Judge Jerome Ngwenya served as the chairperson until the late King’s death in March 2021.

In a letter dated Monday, 12 February, King Misuzulu said Mzimela received emailed correspondence in September last year, which was “met with silence.” He said only Vela Mngwengwe acknowledged the letter on 19 October 2023.

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SHERIFF SAYS MZIMELA REFUSED TO ACCEPT LETTER: KING MISUZULU

“To ensure that the letter is indeed brought to your attention, the Sheriff of Pietermaritzburg was instructed to formally serve the revocation letter on you.”

“To my surprise, the Sheriff advised that on 25 October 2023, you refused to accept the service of such letter. However, same was served by affixing,”‘ said the King.

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MZIMELA REMOVAL LATEST IN ZULU ROYAL AFFAIRS

King Misuzulu said Mzimela served at his pleasure, and he was now removing him. The King told Mzimela that he had 24 hours to vacate office or face further “action,” presumably legal.

His removal is the latest fracture in Zulu royal affairs after King Misuzulu’s spokesperson, Prince Afrika, was also relieved of his duties at the weekend.