Traditional prime minister denounces fake letter targeting Zulu royal family
The Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu monarchy, Thulasizwe Buthelezi has rejected a circulating letter that purpots to be a directive from him prohibiting Zulu royal family members from communicating with government department or structures without the approval of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's private office.
Image: Supplied
The Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu monarch, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has dismissed as fake a letter purporting to instruct members of the Zulu royal family to communicate with government departments strictly through the personal office of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
Buthelezi said the letter, which claims to be a directive from him, is fabricated and intended to sow division between King Misuzulu and members of the Zulu royal family.
The letter, which was circulated to various government departments, instructs royal family members to seek permission from the king’s secretary at his private office, Squire Arnold Nododile, before communicating with any government department.
Although the letter appears to originate from Buthelezi, the Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu nation, who is also the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, said it is a ploy designed to “muddy the waters”.
“This letter is fake. The King and the Traditional Prime Minister are not aware of this letter. Those who authored it are trying to undermine the good relations between the King and members of the Zulu royal family,” said Buthelezi.
The circulation of the letter angered several royal family members, who said it effectively deprives them of their rights.
Zulu Royals React
Former spokesperson for King Misuzulu, Prince Africa Zulu of the Nkweni royal house, said the incident points to what he described as a covert attempt to destabilise the Zulu monarchy.
Prince Africa said the role of the king’s private office is limited to providing administrative support to the monarchy and does not extend to issuing directives.
He warned that granting the private office more authority would be risky and insisted that members of the Zulu royal family have the right to communicate directly with government departments to raise concerns or make suggestions.
Prince Africa also said he accepts Buthelezi’s denial of any involvement in the letter.
“Buthelezi serves in an office to which he has taken an oath. As MEC, he says he has no knowledge of this letter, and I believe him. We all need to believe him when he says he does not know about it,” he said.
Prince Chris Zulu of the eGazini royal house said the letter undermines the rights of royal family members, adding that the kingdom cannot exist without them.“If we are no longer allowed to deal directly with government, we should have been called into a meeting and informed,” said Prince Chris.
Princess Gugu Zulu of the eMatheni royal house also rejected the contents of the letter, describing it as unacceptable.
“This is ridiculous. We are against it and it will not happen. Whoever wrote this is not a member of the royal family. Even Prince (Mangosuthu Buthelezi) of KwaPhindangene, who was of royal blood, would never have issued such an instruction,” she said.