Durban – Stung by criticism for announcing that Zulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini was hospitalised in eSwatini with suspected poisoning, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Tuesday blasted his detractors in a hard-hitting statement.
Full Statement by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Tuesday, 4 July 2023)
On Saturday, 1 July 2023, I executed my duties as the Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, by informing the Nation that I had received news from HRH Prince Vumile, brother to His Majesty King Mswati III, that His Majesty King MisuZulu kaZwelithini was being treated in a hospital in eSwatini, having taken ill.
It must be noted that my statement was simply a report of distressing information I had received.
I narrated it as such. Nowhere did I suggest that His Majesty the King was critically ill. Those who suggest that I communicated this, clearly didnt read my statement.
Since that announcement, Prince Africa Zulu, Head of Communication and Stakeholder Relations in His Majestys Office, has issued a rather disjointed counter statement, as well as a video.
While I do not wish to dwell on the theatrics of it all, I find this behaviour unbecoming.
The condescending interjections by Prince Africa in the recorded video while His Majesty was speaking, even going as far as completing sentences for His Majesty, speaks to a complete disregard for His Majesty and for the decorum and dignity expected of an individual representing His Majesty and his Office.
This is the same individual who once sent my son and I a four-letter swear word, via WhatsApp, which tells us how he views senior members of the Royal Family.
It goes without saying that the subject of His Majestys health is always a sensitive matter.
However, in light of the media and public spectacle that has transpired since my announcement, and the fact that I have been accused of harbouring an agenda and having orchestrated bad news, I must set the record straight.
His Majesty received medical attention at eZulwini Private Hospital on Saturday, 1 July, and the doctors who attended to him are known.
What Prince Africa is not telling the Nation is that he approached the Swazis – in particular, HRH Prince Vumile – asking them to assist so that His Majesty could leave KwaZulu-Natal at night, to urgently seek medical attention in eSwatini.
The assertion by Prince Africa that His Majesty is in eSwatini to visit his uncle, His Majesty King Mswati III, is a blatant lie.
His Majesty King Mswati III was not in eSwatini when His Majesty arrived, nor has he returned.
Further, it is of serious concern that His Majestys latest travel to eSwatini did not conform to established protocols: such as informing the Royal Family, the Premier of the Province, or the Head of State, that His Majesty would be out of the country.
I also wish to reject the lie that has been peddled by Ms. Sibongile Mdletshe, who is the liaison between His Majestys Office and the Premiers Office, that I was consulted regarding His Majesty’s travel and that I had approved it. I did not. Nor was I consulted.
Furthermore, I wish to clarify the constant speculation that there is a rift between myself and His Majesty the King and that I acted in malice by making the announcement about his health.
Like any other family, there will be disagreements on matters from time to time.
That is normal. But there is certainly no growing rift between myself and His Majesty.
As a Nation, our Kings health and well-being should always be our main concern.
I communicated the news about His Majesty having taken ill without embellishment or ill will. This is also not without precedent.
When our late King was hospitalised, I meticulously and regularly kept the Nation updated.
Why then must a political party now seek to mediate a non-existing feud, when the Royal Family can resolve its own internal matters if such matters arise?
And why do matters of the Ingonyama Trust arise now? Such conflation of issues is rather malicious.
I have been at pains throughout my career to separate politics from traditional matters.
It is therefore painful to see politics at play now.
What is even more hurtful, is that I am now being projected by my detractors as an enemy of the Zulu Nation and our King.
I continue to serve at His Majestys behest, as I have done for almost seven decades under two Kings before him. I have served as Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation for the past 69 years. A role which I have fulfilled diligently.
A role that I have dedicated my life to. A role which has come to define my life.
At the dawn of our new dispensation, I went as far as sacrificing the future of my political party, the IFP, for the sake of the recognition of the Zulu Kingdom and our Monarch.
Where were these political opportunists then, and where were they when I stood alone at times, ensuring a smooth transition from our late King to our current King?
These politicians were conspicuous in their absence and lack of support for His Majesty.
When times were tough, I was often insulted and maligned for standing for what was right, and for ensuring that our traditions were honoured and upheld.
Finally, let me state that I am not a spin doctor or spokesperson for anybody.
I am therefore not in competition with those who want to elevate themselves by their association with His Majesty.
It is clear that those who call themselves royal agents only have one mission: to weaken and destroy the institution of the Monarch.
On the other hand, I will continue to keep the AmaZulu Nation informed, if and when necessary, on matters that affect our Nation. I will rest one day knowing I have sacrificed my life in defence of the unity, stability, progress, and prosperity of the AmaZulu Nation and our King.
We continue to pray for a long and successful reign for His Majesty Our King and that he continues to be blessed with good health and wisdom.
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