The issue surrounding the new Ingonyama Trust Board, now led by Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela instead of Judge Jerome Ngwenya, has been met with opposition from certain traditional leaders.
A gathering was convened in Empangeni on Friday, consisting of a collection of chiefs hailing from various regions within KwaZulu-Natal. The purpose of this meeting was to engage in discussion with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The convening was centered on matters pertaining to the trust. The non-attendance of certain amakhosi was due to an existing division amongst them on the issue. Buthelezi, during the course of the meeting, presented a comprehensive account of the trust’s history and expressed apprehension that the land under its purview was liable to be sold. He also voiced his reservations regarding the composition of the new board, citing the fact that one of its members, Lisa del Grande, had previously endorsed a proposal by former president Kgalema Motlanthe advocating for the trust’s dissolution and for the land to be placed under government jurisdiction.
After engaging with the traditional leaders for nearly five hours, Buthelezi relinquished the podium to allow other speakers to present their perspectives. One of those who took to the stage was Ngwenya, who articulated how the trust had been deprived of its revenue by the government. He affirmed that if the trust received its rightful share, it would not be compelled to seek additional funds. Ngwenya further defended the contentious leases employed by the trust to generate rental income, contending that the trust would be financially untenable without them.
The Ingonyama Trust will have no source of revenue in the absence of the leases. Ngwenya inquired about the origin of funds as it is claimed to exist, without the leases. Additionally, he mentioned that the Pietermaritzburg High Court’s verdict, which mandated the trust to terminate the leases and reimburse all funds amassed, is being contested in the Supreme Court of Appeal. Despite efforts to dismiss the case through underhanded means, it is still being heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal, Ngwenya stated.
After a prolonged period of public discourse, the proceedings were subsequently carried out in private, away from the attention of the media. The traditional leaders then proceeded to chart a path forward and subsequently invited the media to convene where they outlined a number of resolutions. These resolutions included the dismissal of the newly appointed board, and a request to meet with Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza, who recently announced the formation of a nine-member board. The resolutions were articulated by Professor Otty Nxumalo, an individual with ties to the royal family and who played a prominent role in the coronation of King Misuzulu the previous year.