South Africa’s minister rejects allegations against King Misuzulu and calls for accountability over governance and a reported R4 million Ingonyama Trust budget…reports Africa Daily News Desk
South Africa’s Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has rejected allegations that King Misuzulu kaZwelithini ordered traditional warriors to disrupt a public gathering in Durban, while backing the monarch’s demand for accountability at the Ingonyama Trust Board. The minister has also pledged to investigate concerns over a reported R4 million budget for an investment conference and refer any unlawful or irregular expenditure to the relevant authorities.
In a media statement issued on 13 October, Nyhontso said he had studied a statement released by the King’s Private Office on 6 October and supported the monarch’s position on the allegations.
The claims relate to the Ingonyama Trust Rural Economy Development and Investment Indaba held at the Durban International Convention Centre on 30 September. King Misuzulu has categorically denied instructing or sending Amabutho, or traditional warriors, to disrupt the event.
Nyhontso said he accepted the King’s denial and rejected the allegations as false. He also backed the monarch’s call for anyone repeating the claims to provide evidence or withdraw them and correct the record.
The minister said traditional attire alone did not establish that individuals were acting under a royal mandate, adding that he did not condone disruption of public gatherings. However, he said beneficiaries of the Ingonyama Trust had the right to ask how their funds were being committed and by whom.
The dispute comes amid wider concerns over governance and accountability within the Ingonyama Trust Board, which manages land held for the benefit of the Zulu people.
Nyhontso said that when he took office in June 2024, he inherited a board in open conflict with its chairperson, King Misuzulu, who is the sole trustee of the Ingonyama Trust.
In a letter dated 9 March 2026, the King informed the minister that he would not attend board meetings until the investigation initiated by the minister had concluded and its findings were made available. Nyhontso said members who took their governance responsibilities seriously had resigned, leaving three people on the board.
The minister said he shared the King’s concerns about the legality of activities conducted in the board’s name, including the conduct of its three remaining members and the chief executive officer, whose appointment he considers irregular. These concerns, he said, led him to dissolve the board.
The affected parties have approached the courts to challenge that decision. Nyhontso said he was opposing their application and would argue the matter in court rather than through the media.
He questioned whether three people could lawfully constitute a board meeting quorum, noting that the regulatory framework ordinarily required five members, with a provision for a further meeting if the first lacked a quorum.
The minister said the reported R4 million budget for the investment indaba needed to be examined against those requirements. He called for meeting minutes and records to establish the procedures followed in approving the expenditure.
Nyhontso also raised concerns that the provision for a further meeting might have been used improperly by members who knew in advance that a quorum would not be present. He said meetings, conferences and retreats continued to be held in the board’s name despite questions over their legitimacy and the benefits they delivered to the trustee and beneficiaries.
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He further said the board had failed to submit its financial statements on time for the past two years, describing this as a failure of accountability.
The minister confirmed that an inquiry led by Advocate Marumo Moerane SC, with support from a chartered accountant, had completed its investigation into alleged irregular and unaccounted-for activities involving the board and its chief executive officer.
Nyhontso said he would seek an audience with King Misuzulu in the coming days so that Moerane could brief the monarch on the findings before they were shared more widely.
He also welcomed the King’s call for an investigation into the reported R4 million budget, including the source of the money, the amount actually spent, the authority that approved it, the procurement process and the benefits delivered to communities.
The minister said he would ensure the questions were addressed and relevant records preserved for the appropriate oversight and investigative authorities.
Nyhontso pledged to pursue action if the inquiry established that trust funds had been spent unlawfully or irregularly. He said the matter would be referred to the relevant authorities, efforts would be made to recover the money, and those responsible would face the law.
He reaffirmed his respect for King Misuzulu and said he remained committed to restoring good governance, accountability and public trust in the Ingonyama Trust Board.
