Royal dispute: Premier Ntuli denies withholding funds for Zulu King's UAE visit

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has broken his silence over claims by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini that his October trip to the United Arab Emirates with his wife-to-be, Princess Sihle Mdluli, was marked by hunger due to a lack of government support.

Ntuli said he had previously refrained from commenting out of respect for the Zulu monarch, believing that matters involving the royal family should be handled with diplomacy and sensitivity.

He was speaking recently at the Ntombela clan gathering in Nobamba, Babanango, where the issue was raised by Professor Jabulani Maphalala. The premier said he was responding because the matter continued to be discussed publicly.

Ntuli denied allegations that his office had refused to fund the trip, stating that no formal request had ever been submitted.

"There is no request that was submitted to my office that I responded to," said Ntuli.

King Misuzulu, speaking earlier at eMashobeni Royal Palace in oPhongolo, claimed that he and his delegation experienced hunger after the provincial government allegedly declined to fund the trip. He further suggested that the Zulu monarchy should become financially independent to avoid reliance on government support, accusing Ntuli’s administration of withholding funds.

"They said they would see how the monarch and his people are going to go. I even called the Queen of Mawewe and said, 'I know you are committed to the nation like I am, but how are we going to travel without money? We have flight tickets, but what are we going to eat?'" said the king.

The monarch also questioned why, despite the existence of a budget for the Zulu royal household, funding difficulties persist when travel is required.

He said the government appeared surprised when photographs of him with Arab leaders emerged, despite its alleged refusal to support the trip.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE