King Misuzulu initiates legal process to take over Ingonyama Trust board

The Zulu king is gunning for the total control of the Ingonyama Trust board, saying it is time to strip the government of powers to control it.

KwaZulu-Natal monarch Misuzulu delivered a keynote address during the opening of the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.

He said the board - which administers almost 3 million hectors of land in the trust - must now be run by traditional leaders.

King Misuzulu is the sole trustee of the board - which generates millions through leases.

Since his ascension to throne back in 2021, Zulu King Misuzulu has raised various issues about the controversial Ingonyama Trust board.

He said traditional leaders have no role to play given government’s control of the board.

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In 2023, King Misuzulu made changes in the board and removed the board’s longest serving chairperson - former judge Jeroma Ngwenya - and appointed Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela.

Months later, the monarch took over the reins and appointed himself as the board chairperson.

During his address King Misuzulu told the legislature that amakhosi must now have total control of the board.

“I’ve implemented a process that seeks to bring back the control of Ingonyama Trust from Pretoria to where it rightfully belongs to amakhosi of the kingdom. “

The king said he has begun a legal process to make some amendments.

“In this regard, I’ve appointed a retired Judge Isaac Madondo and Advocate Thembeka Ngcokaitobi to lead the process that has been proposed; an amendment for Ingonyama Trust in KwaZulu-Natal.”

The king believes this move will empower amakhosi and izinduna in the province.