ZULU PALACE POWER WAR ERUPTS

Infighting over access to King Misuzulu blamed for confusion surrounding top palace dismissals

- WILLEM PHUNGULA

A child walks past a mural of the South African flag in Alexandra, Johannesburg, yesterday. South Africa celebrated Africa Day yesterday, marking the 61st anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union. The day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the AU in the fight against colonialism and apartheid.

(REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

A SENIOR official in the Zulu Prime Minister Executive Council (PMEC) has attributed the dismissal of Royal Chancellor inkosi Malusi Zondi and the dissolution of the king’s private office to a power struggle over the proximity to AmaZulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini.

The six-member structure was created by the king and is led by his traditional Prime Minister, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.

On Friday, Buthelezi in his capacity as the Prime Minister issued a statement on behalf of the king announcing the removal of Zondi and the dissolution of the king’s private office which is controlled by Arnold Nododile.

However, the confusion reigned when both Zondi and Nododile dismissed the statement as fake, despite confirmation by the king’s spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu, who also informed the Zulu nation on Ukhozi FM on Friday evening.