From the Zulu Queen moving out of her matrimonial royal palace to Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo accusing Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane of being a beneficiary of extortionists, we look at the royal drama that set tongues wagging in 2024.
MOVES OUT OF MATRIMONIAL HOME
The first wife of King Misuzulu KaZwekithini, Queen Ntokozo Mayisela-Zulu, shocked many when she moved out of the royal palace in Ulundi a few months ago. At the time, it was alleged that the queen was feeling neglected by the king, who married a third wife without informing her. She said in a statement last month that just like all South Africans, she learned of her husband's third marriage on social media. The family when she moved out of the royal house with her two children. Mayisela-Zulu also stopped attending royal functions, including the annual Reed Dance at Enyokeni Palace in northern Kwazulu-Natal. Breaking her silence, the queen said the reasons behind her not attending the events are known by the king and that they are personal. "My absence is purely a private matter, one of which His Majesty the King is fully aware."
MISIZULU FIRES ZULU MORNACH PRIME MINISTER
As if the drama unfolding in his royal house wasn't enough, Misuzulu shocked many when he fired the Zulu nation's Prime Minister, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, whom he appointed in January. "I address you with a heavy heart as I announce my withdrawal with immediate effect of the name of Rev. Thulasizwe Dominic Buthelezi from this esteemed position. Reasons for the withdrawal are to be shared with traditional leaders and the nation in due course as we are still observing uMkhosi until the end of January," the Zulu King said in the letter last week. Buthelezi later said he only learned of his dismissal from the monarch, in the media.
KING DALINDYEBO'S SON CRASHES NEW SUV
Sinethemba Solakhe Dalindyebo found himself in hot water when he crashed his father's car, Abathembu King Buleyekhaya Dalindyebo's brand-new SUV valued at R800K. He was taking his father's new car for a spin around the block in Mthatha block when he crashed it. The car was gifted to the king by Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, former deputy Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and MEC Zolile Williams.
ACCUSING PREMIER OF BEING PART OF EXTORTIONISTS IN EC
In August, when extortion gripped the Eastern Cape, Dalindyebo accused Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane of being a beneficiary of extortionists. Dalindyebo made the damning allegations during a community meeting in Mthatha on 20 August, claiming that there are politicians involved in the extortion syndicate. "Actually, Oscar Mabuyane, I can prove it in any court; he is a beneficiary of Sakhumzi Mareke's stupid actions. The beneficiary! If he says I'm accusing him, he must prove me wrong. I'm telling him what he knows," said Dalindyebo. Marake was a self-proclaimed Mthatha West chief who was shot and killed by the police during a shootout in September. Dalindyebo had accused the said chief of being an extortionist.
NDEBELE QUEEN KICKED OUT OF ROYAL PALACE
Queen Sikhothali Seeiso-Mabhena, who is the wife of Ndebele King Makhosonke II Mabena Enoch, was allegedly left homeless after being kicked out of her royal homestead in Engwanyemenu royal headquarters in Klipfontein A, Kwamhlanga, in Mpumalanga by her husband. A source in the royal family told ZiMoja at the time that she was living in squalor in Pretoria, unable to make ends meet. "She was kicked out of the royal house. She has been squatting with students in Pretoria at a dump. The place has no water and no proper sanitation. She is struggling and hustling to even get food to eat," the insider said. She denied being kicked out of the house when contacted for comment.
