Statement by
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP
Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation
I have taken note of the statement issued by the INJEJE yabeNGUNI Council today which maliciously castigates me as irrational, irrelevant, divisive, self-centred, politically motivated and old. My crime was conveying an official comment from the King and the Royal Family that Induna Nhleko acted wrongfully in leading regiments to Nkandla. This clearly shows how emotive the situation is.
While I am used to being attacked as the messenger, I must respond to the Council’s statement, for it is misleading in two respects. The Royal Family has never announced that the throne is vacant, nor did His Majesty King Zwelithini appoint Mr Nhleko to provide leadership for the Zulu Nation in these times of “siege”.
His Majesty the late King instructed that Her Majesty Queen Mantfombi provide leadership for the Zulu Nation, as Regent, until his successor was named. The Regent’s will was read before all members of the Royal Family, and His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was named through the Regent’s will as successor to the late King. Thus de facto, there is a King on the throne.
By claiming that there is no King, Induna Nhleko and the INJEJE yabeNGUNI Council are acting in defiance of the monarch. Moreover, they are giving Induna Nhleko the role that belongs to His Majesty the King, which is that of leading the Zulu Nation. This is a dangerously inflammatory stance.
Despite what the Council claims, the former President’s legal difficulties cannot be portrayed as the Zulu Nation coming under siege, nor was it necessary for the regiments to “defend” the former President from the rule of law or from the Constitutional Court.
It is precisely because Induna Nhleko and the regiments he led brought the Royal Family into this matter that the Family needed to respond and highlight that this was not done on their behalf or at their request. His Majesty the King did not instruct Induna Nhleko.