Malema King Misuzulu

Reigning Zulu monarch King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. Image: GCIS / Flickr

‘Another big blow’: Zulu king Misuzulu’s close associate assassinated

Another close associate of Zulu king, Misuzulu KaZwelithini has been assassinated. He is the fourth to be brutally murdered this year.

Malema King Misuzulu

Reigning Zulu monarch King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. Image: GCIS / Flickr

KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Sihle Zikalala has weighed in on the brutal murder of Prince Muntukaphiwana Milton Mbongiseni Zulu. 

Zulu was allegedly assassinated by unknown assassins in Nongoma on Thursday night, 24 November. 

ANOTHER ZULU PRINCE MURDERED 

Zikalala said this is yet another big blow for the institution of traditional leadership within KwaZulu-Natal, as they once more mourn the loss of a prominent figure within the institution of traditional leadership, especially within the Osuthu Traditional Council, which has lost three members (some of which were reportedly close to King Misuzulu) within a very short space of time. 

As previously reported, four people from the Osuthu Traditional Council in Nongoma who were reportedly close to the Zulu Royal Family were gunned down on Saturday, 23 October 2022 and circumstances surrounding these murders are still unclear.

In September the chair of the very same traditional council and King Misuzulu’s advisor Dr Dumisani Khumalo was assassinated by unknown gunmen outside his home. This was after those who were challenging King Misuzulu’s kingship had issued threats and predicted a “bloodbath” if the Reed Dance celebration went ahead. Khumalo, the king’s chief advisor, was responsible for settling disputes within the Zulu community. There have been no arrests as yet. 

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Zikalala said the murders clearly show that there are elements that are seeking to undermine and destabilise the institution of traditional leadership within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. 

“We therefore once more call for calm within communities and for all parties to allow law enforcement agencies to do their job which is to investigate and arrest the criminals that are responsible for these attacks. We also urge anyone that might have information that will assist law enforcement to come forward.”

Sihle Zikalala

These attacks are acts of cowardice and will not succeed.

The MEC further conveyed his condolences to his Majesty the King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and the whole royal family for the tragic loss.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that they are investigating an incident in which a member of the Zulu royal family was murdered following a shooting in Nongoma on Thursday night.

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