The Inkatha Freedom Party founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is reportedly in intensive care unit (ICU at a private hospital in Durban, KwaZulu Natal fighting for his life. The Zulu Monarch's traditional Prime Minister was admitted to hospital on Monday 24 July after suffering from severe back pain. His spokesperson Liezel Van der Merve confirmed that Buthelezi had a small procedure for back pain management and had to be readmitted to the hospital for treatment and recovery.

A family member who spoke to ZiMoja on condition of anonymity said the 94-year-old's family does not want any media attention or to reveal the hospital he is admitted at. The relative said: "Please note that we have asked visitors not to visit him so that he can rest and recover. Revealing the name of the hospital where he is will cause a flood of people to go there and will not only be a safety risk but also a risk to his recovery. People carry germs but also he needs to rest." Van der Merwe confirmed that Buthelezi was still in the hospital but did not want to confirm if he was indeed fighting for his life in ICU. "He is recovering, we will provide the nation with a formal update when, and if needed. Possibly in the week," she says. Buthelezi has had his fair share of health challenges in the past few years. He contracted Covid-19 twice within a year in 2020 and 2021 and recovered both times. He also recovered after being admitted to the hospital in January after suffering a stroke.

Buthelezi is regarded as a peacemaker in the Zulu Royal family - especially after the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini and one of his wives Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu within a few weeks of each other. There was division within the royal family and it took Prince Buthelezi's negotiation skills to bring peace to the family and Misuzulu to be crowned Zulu King in October last year.