KZN royal family disputes grow as government accused of bias

By Celani Sikhakhane

• AfriForum in February asked KZN Premier Thami Ntuli to resolve a chieftaincy dispute in the Mpungose Traditional Community in Nkandla.

• MKP’s Silindile Seme said royal family fights in KwaZulu-Natal happen because politicians interfere in who gets chosen as chief.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature says AfriForum’s call for Premier Thami Ntuli to step into a traditional leadership dispute in Nkandla is proof that the government has failed to resolve these clashes fairly.

MKP member Silindile Seme made the remarks on Tuesday during the legislature’s debate on the State of the Province Address, which Premier Ntuli had delivered the previous Friday.

Seme said royal families across KZN face ongoing chieftaincy disputes.

“The process of recognising amakhosi through government has been marred by political interference. That’s why some families are still fighting for chieftaincy, because the recognition is always granted unfairly to the politically connected instead of the rightful heir,” Seme said.

“As we speak, there is an infighting taking place in Nkandla and AfriForum has called on Premier Ntuli to intervene. This call exposes the failure of the government to address problems of traditional leadership without any political interference,” she said.

In February, AfriForum formally asked Premier Ntuli to urgently intervene in the Mpungose Traditional Community in Nkandla. Tensions in the area started after a chief removed two headmen from the community.

Barend Uys, head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum, said improper interference weakens traditional leadership structures and negatively affects grassroots communities.

AfriForum said the conflict threatens the stability of Zulu communities in the area.

IFP MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Mtomuhle Khawula said Ntuli is working hard to restore the dignity of traditional leaders.

“The problem is that the MKP will never ever support anything that comes with Premier Ntuli. Even if Ntuli called them to come to paradise in Heaven, they will reject that offer and say they are following their father in hell,” Khawula said.

Pictured above: MKP member Silindile Seme speaking at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature debate on the State of the Province Address.

Image source: KZN Legislature