Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s Traditional Prime Minister and Cogta MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, on Thursday announced that Prince Mbonisi Bhekithemba ka Bhekuzulu will be one of the members of the conflict mediation panel to resolve the succession disputes in areas under amakhosi.
Buthelezi called a media briefing on Thursday to announce the conflict mediation panel, which consists of Prince Mathubesizwe kaBhekuzulu, who will lead the team, Prince Mbonisi kaBhekuzulu, Prince Vulindlela kaBhekuzulu, Prince Mxolisi kaBhekuzulu, Princess Lindi kaBhekuzulu, Prince Thuthukani kaMcwayizeni kaSolomon, Inyosi uBuzetsheni Mdletshe, Reverend Canon Hamilton Mbatha and Reverend Canon Daniel Mthembu.
The traditional prime minister did not take any questions from the media on the disputes between Prince Mbonisi and the king or within the royal family.
Prince Mbonisi, half-brother of the late king Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, and Prince Simakade Zulu, halfbrother of Misuzulu, had submitted an application to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of Misuzulu as the Zulu king.
Prince Mbonisi’s application was supported by other 13 senior Zulu royal family members which include the likes of Prince Vulindlela, Prince Mathuba, Prince Mxolisi and Princess Lindiwe.
In December, the High Court in Pretoria, presided over by Judge Norman Davis, delivered a judgment invalidating President Ramaphosa’s recognition of Misuzulu as the Zulu king. Judge Davis ruled that Ramaphosa’s appointment of Misuzulu as king was not in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019 (the Leadership Act).
Ramaphosa and Misuzulu have been granted permission to appeal the High Court judgment in the Supreme Court of Appeal. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Ramaphosa maintained that Misuzulu remains the recognised heir to the Zulu throne.
Buthelezi on Thursday said he had appointed the senior members of the royal family to the panel as they had worked for a long time with the previous king, Goodwill Zwelithini, and they “will strengthen the institution of traditional leadership within our province and enhance the work of amakhosi”.
A source familiar with the divisions in the royal family questioned the rational behind appointing individuals embroiled in disputes with the king to serve as mediators within the traditional leadership.
Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu described the appointment of Prince Mbonisi to the panel as a strategic and brilliant political move.
“I think this is a move to bring reconciliation between the king and those people who opposed his succession as the king of the Zulus.”
Ndlovu said that following the termination of Prince Mbonisi’s contract as a researcher for the Traditional Leadership Dispute Resolution and Claims Commission, which falls within Cogta (the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs), he needs an income, and this is an opportunity for an income.
“And the fact that he is appointed by Thulasizwe, who is very close with the king, he is basically the right hand man of the king, I think he is trying to extend an olive branch. I think it is a very smart political move for Thulasizwe ... it shows political maturity,” said Ndlovu.
“He (Buthelezi) is actually putting him (Prince Mbonisi) in the spotlight to say, here is an opportunity to reconcile with your nephew who is a king, so work with him to resolve all these matters related to traditional leadership. It is a brilliant and strategic move.”
The Mercury