Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has broken his silence on the incident where African National Congress (ANC) KwaZulu Natal chairperson Siboniso Duma snatched a microphone from Zulu traditional prime minister Dr Thulasizwe Buthelezi over the weekend. Buthelezi was about to introduce the king on stage when Duma took the microphone away from him and ordered him to sit down.
"UNBECOMING, PROVOCATIVE AND UNAFRICAN"
Duma was the programme director at the event to commemorate the 110th anniversary of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo's death when the incident took place. In a media statement, King Misuzulu commended Buthelezi for responding with calmness and dignity when Duma sought to provoke and humiliate him. He said Duma's behaviour towards the traditional prime minister was unbecoming, provocative and un-African. "The Zulu culture is entrenched in the tradition of people being allowed to express themselves and thus any action that forcefully deprives any person of their right to speak, irrespective of that person's message or status is assault on the values of the Zulu nation," he said. Misuzulu said in terms of the Zulu kingdom hierarchy, the traditional prime minister is the commander-in-chief of Amabutho (Zulu regiments) and the principal spokesperson of the king, whose primary duty is to present the king before he speaks at any function.
MATTER REFERRED TO AMAKHOSI AND THE ROYAL FAMILY
The king said the matter has since been referred to a committee of Amakhosi and members of the Royal family who will evaluate all aspects of the event, engage with all relevant stakeholders and advise the king on the way forward to ensure that such an incident does not take place in future. "His Majesty has cautiously noted the recent pronouncements from certain quarters of KZN who proclaim that the position of traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation does not exist, these pronouncements do not augur well unity and peace in KZN. The position of traditional prime minister has always existed in the Zulu kingdom since the reign of King Senzangakhona. The king is perplexed by the announcement that there will be an event to commemorate King Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu that is being planned in conjunction with the late king's queens, since this event has not been discussed with nor endorsed by the reigning king," he said.
ANC KZN SUPPORTS DUMA
In a video that went viral on social media over the weekend, Duma was seen grabbing the microphone from Buthelezi who was about to introduce the king on stage as per protocol. At the time, Buthelezi was bashing the ANC KZN secretary-general Bheki Mtolo, whom he accused of not respecting his position as the prime minister appointed by the King himself. Addressing the media on Wednesday on the incident, Mtolo said Duma has since apologised to the King and President Cyril Ramaphosa who were both at the event. He said the ANC fully support Duma as he was brave by stopping Buthelezi to prevent bloodshed. "Things could have gotten out of hand and that Duma was brave by stopping Buthelezi. The option he chose was better because it prevented bloodshed. So, when Duma apologised to the King, he was apologising for stopping Buthelezi in front of His Majesty and not apologising for stopping Buthelezi," he said. Mtolo added that Duma did what he did because he felt Buthelezi was about to use his position as the prime minister of Zulu nation to launch an attack on the ANC in the province.
