King Misuzulu kaZwelithini Fires The Zulu Traditional Prime Minister

The Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, has dismissed his prime minister and KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.

The dismissal was communicated through a letter to the Zulu nation and all citizens, dated December 25, 2024. The letter stated:

I address you with a heavy heart as I announce my withdrawal with immediate effect of the name of Rev Thulasizwe Dominic Buthelezi from this esteemed position.

Reasons for the withdrawal are to be shared with traditional leaders and the nation in due course as we are still observing uMkhosi until the end of January.

The king called on the nation to unite in support of the process to appoint Buthelezi’s successor, “who will carry forward the torch of leadership.”

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini announced Buthelezi’s appointment at the commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, in January.

Buthelezi served for about 11 months after the death of the former Zulu prime minister and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, last year.

He took over the position following the death of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in September 2023. Prince Buthelezi had held the position of traditional prime minister for almost 70 years and worked with three different kings since 1954.

In a similar move in February 2024, King Misuzulu dismissed Ingonyama Trust Board chairperson Thanduyise Mzimela and appointed himself as the new chair of the trust, which administers rural land in KwaZulu-Natal.

For the first time since its formation in 1994, the king, as the sole trustee of Ingonyama, will also chair the ITB.

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.

More: Pindula News