Following widespread media reports that Zulu Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has called an urgent imbizo to announce his resignation from his position, the prince has rejected the claims as false and misleading. IFP spokesperson Liezl Van De Merwe confirmed that there will be a meeting of Amakhosi, called by Buthelezi, which will be held on Friday 26 May 2023 in the north of KwaZulu Natal.

MALICIOUS RUMOURS

In a statement released by Van der Merwe today, she said Buthelezi has taken note of false and malicious rumours circulating on various platforms suggesting that he has vacated his position as the traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and nation.

"I have just spoken to Prince Buthelezi and I wish to reassure the public and Zulu nation at large, that their traditional Prime Minister continues to serve at the behest of his Majesty King MisuZulu kaZwelithini, for as long as iSilo requires his services, support and guidance," said Van der Merwe. Buthelezi has served the Zulu Nation as a Traditional Prime Minister since 1954. 

COMMITTED TO HIS RESPONSIBILITIES

Van der Merwe added, "Nothing has changed in this regard. He remains fully committed to his responsibilities as Traditional Prime Minister. Any announcement to the contrary would have been handled by myself, through a formal communique from the Traditional Prime Minister’s office, and after due consultation. It is therefore evident that the current media reports are false. We reject any attempts to drive disunity amongst the AmaZulu Nation by the circulation of such blatant lies." Van der Merwe further said that as per Buthelezi’s previous statements on the matter, the Prime Minister, as the author of the Ingonyama Trust, will brief Amakhosi on recent developments affecting the Trust and the Board.