Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi: ‘Stop speculating about the throne’

The Zulu Traditional Prime Minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has asked for the public to allow the Zulu Royal Family space and privacy to mourn the death of the Zulu Regent, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu.

Dlamini-Zulu passed away on Thursday, 29 April and tributes have been pouring in since the news broke.

PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI ASKS FOR SPACE AND PRIVACY

Since King Goodwill Zwelithini’s passing speculations and questions about who is next in line for the throne were mounting until the late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu was instated as the king’s replacement for three months.

“People should stop speculating about who is going to be next in line for the throne; the public should respect the king’s children, allow them to mourn the sad passing of their parents instead of focusing on the next king regent.”

Buthelezi also said that there will be no leadership vacuum to exist following the Queen’s passing.

BUTHELEZI VS ZULU PRINCES AND PRINCESSES

It looks like the late King Zwelithini was the glue that kept the family together and now that he is gone the cracks are starting to show. Since his passing, some of the royal family members have been rumoured to have been holding meetings without Buthelezi (in his capacity as the Prime Minister and an elder) and have issued contradicting statements and went against his orders.

At some point before the King’s burial Buthelezi said he no longer wanted to be part of the funeral proceedings because they are undermining him. To top it all of, he is now accused of forcing himself into the royal family.

In an interview with the SABC a day before the Queen’s passing, Buthelezi admitted that there was a meeting that was recently held by senior members of the royal house include a prince and Queen Mantfombi at the old Legislature House in Ulundi that he and other elders knew nothing about.

Buthelezi also addressed reports that he is forcing himself into the royal family.

“There is no way I am forcing myself into the royal family, I was not appointed by King Zwelithini, I was appointed King Cyprian and even dealt with matters between him and his wife. Even if the family did not appoint me as Prime Minister, as far as it is concerned, I am the only elder at presence and they know that,” Buthelezi said.

Buthelezi was born to Chief Mathole Buthelezi and Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu, the sister of King Solomon kaDinuzulu and daughter of King Dinuzulu who ruled the Zulu nation for 29 years until his death and was King Zwelithini’s grandfather.

READ: Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu: ‘Regent died of a long-term illness’