Tensions continue between the Ingonyama Trust Board and the AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. This, after King Misuzulu halted a planned three-day strategic engagement forum of the Ingonyama Trust Board with traditional authorities, citing that, as the Chairperson, he was not informed about the meeting.
The King is the sole trustee of the Trust, which administers nearly 3 million hectares of communal land in the province.
The meeting was set to discuss land administration, governance and development matters in the province.
The tug of war over leadership authority between the Ingonyama Trust Board and the AmaZulu King continues, following King Misuzulu’s decision to halt a meeting between the Trust and traditional authorities.
The King raised concerns over the lack of consultation about the three-day meeting. This has caused uncertainty and confusion among traditional leaders who had already convened for the meeting. They called for a dialogue to restore unity and ensure that the Trust continues to benefit rural communities.
AmaZulu Prime Minister Reverand Thulasizwe Buthelezi says, “This meeting called by Ngonyama Trust Board has just collapsed because Amakhosi refused to participate in a meeting where his majesty as the chairperson of the board and sole trustee was not consulted, but most concerning is that even the Minister of Land Reform Mzwanele Nyontsho was not aware of this meeting.”
Buthelezi confirmed that the Minister has instituted an investigation into the operations of the Ingonyama Trust Board. This follows recent allegations of mismanagement and governance irregularities.
Ingonyama Trust CEO Siyamdumisa Vilakazi explains, “The letter, if it is indeed correct, that was read today by the traditional prime minister, is veering in the place of illegality. Because the minister has no power to actually put the board on special leave if there is meant to be some action a consultation with the minister of finance in accordance with the PFMA is required because it is the minister of finance who has the power to impute anyone else to replace the board in instances where the board is either unable to execute it’s functions or it is non-existent in that particular place.”
The Ingonyama Trust board organised the meeting to address land reform challenges, and financial and governance issues with Traditional authorities in the province.
The board says some of the problems it faces are caused by political interference.
