IFP youth play down king praise singer attack

By Celani Sikhakhane

• Kwanele Mtshali publicly questioned Premier Thami Ntuli at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, accusing him of ignoring invitations from King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to the royal palace.

• Premier Thami Ntuli denied refusing to fund royal trips, saying no formal request was sent to his office and urging diplomacy in royal matters.

Drama unfolded at the opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in Pietermaritzburg when the king’s praise singer turned on Premier Thami Ntuli.

Kwanele Mtshali, who was praising King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, shocked members of the House and guests when he questioned why Ntuli was at the Legislature.

He said: “Ntuli what are you actually doing at the legislature? His Majesty invited you at Mashobeni Royal Palace but you chose to ignore him. He also invited you at Machobeni Royal Palace you also snubbed him.”

Some leaders from the Inkatha Freedom Party, including Dr Andile Biyela and Mncedisi Maphisa, shook their heads in disbelief.

But members of the opposition, including uMkhonto Wesizwe Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters, clapped and cheered. They shouted at Ntuli and called him a king’s snubber.

Mncedisi Maphisa from the IFP Youth Brigade defended the premier. He said Ntuli is a hard worker, an adopted son of the Zulu king and a proud subject of His Majesty.

“Remember King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and Premier Ntuli are very close and they work very well together towards the development of the people of KZN,” said Maphisa.

Scrolla.Africa has learnt that King Misuzulu was angry that Ntuli did not attend the First Fruits Amarula ceremony at Machobeni Royal Palace in Ngwavuma in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal.

Sources say the king was also upset that Ntuli refused to pay for a trip to the United Arab Emirates and another to the United Kingdom.

It is also claimed that the premier refused to cover about R1.8-million in legal fees linked to a Supreme Court of Appeal case. The money was expected to come from the king’s R86-million annual budget, which had run out before the end of the financial year.

Ntuli later broke his silence. He said issues involving the royal family must be handled with diplomacy and sensitivity.

“There is no request that was submitted to my office that I responded to,” said Ntuli.

Speaking earlier at Mashobeni Royal Palace in oPhongolo, King Misuzulu said he and his delegation went hungry after the provincial government declined to fund the trip.

“They said they would see how the monarch and his people are going to go. I even called the Queen of Mawewe and said, ‘I know you are committed to the nation like I am, but how are we going to travel without money? We have flight tickets, but what are we going to eat?’” said King Misuzulu.

The king said the monarchy must become financially independent and not rely on government support. He questioned why there are funding problems when there is a budget for the royal household.

He also said the government seemed surprised when pictures of him with Arab leaders appeared, despite claims that it had refused to support the trip.

Pictured above: King Misuzulu kaZwelithini arriving at the State of the Province Address in Pietermaritzburg.

Image source: KZN Office of the Premier.