Land Reform Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has criticised the Ingonyama Trust Board in a recording believed to be his voice, while an inquiry into the board’s conduct is due to be presented to King Misuzulu.
In a voice recording believed to be that of Nyhontso, the minister lays bare his distaste for the board, describing it as rogue and vowing never to work with it.
The relationship between the board, on the one hand, and Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini and the minister, on the other, is also at its lowest ebb. The king has accused the board of undermining him.
Recently, scores of angry amabutho (Zulu regiments) stormed the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre to disrupt an event organised by the board and attended by amakhosi. They claimed to have staged the protest on behalf of the Zulu King who was being “undermined” by the board.
In a voice note recorded during a meeting between the king and the minister, Nyhontso criticised the conduct of the board, saying he was dissatisfied with the way it was conducting itself and managing the affairs of the Trust.
He said he had recently told board members that they were a rogue board that would be dissolved.
"I will never work with them — over my dead body. I have said that I will never work with this board because they do not respect the sole trustee of the land. All vacant posts should be advertised, and people appointed who appreciate that the land belongs to amaKhosi.
"This is the only land that is still in the hands of black people. We cannot move away from that. We are standing firm that we will give you a board that respects and listens to you, appreciates that the land is under the king, and does not judge politicians. Those are politicians."
"This board is not working for you or the amaKhosi of the Zulu nation. They are rogues and they must go," he said.
Prince Africa Zulu Royal of Onkweni, the vice-chancellor of the Zulu Kingdom, said the minister's remarks at eMashobeni, in the presence of King Misuzulu and amakhosi, were encouraging and reassuring.
He said the land of the Zulu nation was not a political playground, adding that it carried the history, dignity, heritage and economic future of the people. "Those entrusted with its administration had to respect His Majesty, amakhosi, and the communities whose interests the Trust was meant to serve.
"The Zulu people certainly cannot wait for the appointment of a new board that will be aligned with His Majesty, respect His Majesty, and take its instructions from His Majesty and nowhere else. The new board must understand that its mandate is to serve the Crown and the people of the Zulu nation, not to pursue political or personal interests.
"We particularly welcome the minister's commitment to ensuring that the Ingonyama Trust Board respects and listens to its rightful stakeholders, and that political interference does not undermine its mandate. We stand firmly behind the minister's commitment to lawful reform, accountability, and the restoration of dignity to the institution of traditional leadership," he said.
The Ingonyama Trust Board had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Asked about the recording provided to his office and its contents, the minister said he was concerned about the board.
"The minister shares and fully understands His Majesty's concerns about the lawfulness of the activities carried out in the name of the board. He has the same concerns about the conduct of the three remaining members and the chief executive officer, whose appointment the minister regards as irregular. These are the very concerns that led the minister to dissolve the board.
"The minister established an inquiry, led by Advocate Marumo Moerane SC, to investigate the irregular and unaccounted-for activities of the board and the chief executive officer.
"The inquiry has completed its work. Out of respect for His Majesty, the minister will, in the coming days, seek an audience with him so that Advocate Moerane SC can brief His Majesty on the inquiry's findings. His Majesty will hear those findings first."
The Trust said it was not aware of the recording and asked to be provided with it. However, the Trust still failed to respond to the request for comment.