The honeymoon seems to be over in the KwaZulu-Natal government of provincial unity as it has emerged that the ANC lodged a complaint against the IFP's MEC of co-operative governance, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, accusing him of taking decisions without consulting other parties.
The ANC and IFP in the province held a meeting this week where the ANC registered its concerns.
Buthelezi, who is also the traditional prime minister of the Zulu kingdom, is accused of summarily terminating the employment of Prince Mbonisi, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s uncle; appointing advisers without consultation; prioritising IFP-aligned amakhosi, and running his department from Ulundi.
ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo confirmed having raised the complaint. “We didn't go into specific details, we said the IFP must manage him. He works like the IFP has an outright majority,” Mtolo told the Sunday Times.
At the meeting the two parties agreed to form an oversight political structure to handle disagreements.
Prince Mbonisi’s dismissal was perceived as Buthelezi taking sides in the legal battle between Prince Mbonisi and his nephew King Misuzulu. Prince Mbonisi is challenging the king for the throne.
Prince Mbonisi was employed as a researcher for the Traditional leadership Dispute Resolution and Claims Commission, which falls within Cogta.
“The main issue of contention is that being in Cogta gave Prince Mbonisi a platform to mobilise amakhosi because he had an official title ... now Thulasizwe is fighting royal family battles using Cogta by firing Prince Mbonisi. The ANC argument is that before terminating the contract, Buthelezi should have brought that to the GPU,” an ANC insider said.
The second matter discussed was Buthelezi’s pick for senior adviser — retired Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo. Madondo has previously presided over cases involving King Misuzulu.
Mtolo said the parties agreed to establish a political oversight council of all GPU partners (ANC, IFP, DA, NFP) to manage disputes.
Mtolo denied the ANC complained about the termination of Prince Mbonisi and objected to the prospect of Madondo being Buthelezi’s senior adviser. “We did not discuss names, we discussed principles. The MEC of Cogta, we feel as the ANC, is taking drastic decisions without the involvement of GPU partners. That must be corrected. I can't discuss names. I don't even know Madondo — it's a meeting of officials. It can't go to those nitty gritties.”
Without acknowledging opposing Buthelezi working in Ulundi and alleging that he prioritised “IFP-aligned amakhosi”, Mtolo said the provincial cabinet had “never taken a decision that we must work in Ulundi, the premier has been saying this thing”.
“Amakhosi we treat as individuals, you can't reduce amakhosi to political parties. The department of Cogta has a traditional branch where it has to perform its functions.
“I doubt he will serve amakhosi that are aligned with the IFP; that won't work, even us in the past 20 years we did not serve amakhosi that are aligned to the ANC. It's impractical to do that, if he does that it will backfire,” Mtolo said.
Buthelezi, when asked for comment, said the issues of Madondo and Prince Mbonisi were administrative matters which did not warrant comment.
“Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi built Ulundi from the ashes to what it is today. Therefore the government complex in Ulundi is the legacy of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. I don't think there is any level of government in South Africa that can simply ignore Ulundi. Ulundi symbolises the resilience of the Zulu nation,” he said.
Asked if he believed there was any merit in allegations of lack of consultation with GPU partners against him, Buthelezi said: “I cannot comment on the GNU/GPU since appointed leaders are mandated to handle those issues”.
IFP provincial chair Thami Ntuli, who represented the IFP in the meeting, said: “It was the first meeting between provincial structures after the elections and was about creating an avenue for talks on issues of contestation and mutual understanding.”
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