KwaZulu-Natal Premier Lionel Mtshali has launched a veiled attack on King Goodwill Zwelithini in what sources say is an attempt to ”expose the African National Congress’s hold” over the Zulu monarch.
Because of the respect he commands among most Zulu-speakers, Zwelithini has long been a political football.
Mtshali’s attack appeared in an unprecedented full-page advertisement entitled ”The truth revealed – initiatives taken by the government to enhance the stature of the monarchy”, which was placed in the Sunday Tribune over the weekend.
At its heart are accusations by the ANC two weeks ago that Mtshali and the Inkatha Freedom Party undermined Zwelithini by leaving him stranded in Swaziland, where he was attending a Swazi royal function.
Mtshali also came under attack from the ANC earlier this year for allowing Zwelithini to travel in an ”old jalopy”.
In this week’s advertisement Mtshali claims Zwelithini is increasingly coming under the influence of ”advisers” who have ”brought the institution of monarchy to disrepute in an endeavour to garner the vote of the Zulu people”. Sources close to Zwelithini say the ”advisers” are the ANC.
The advertisement, which reportedly cost R100 000, lists a number of initiatives taken by the IFP in enhancing the role of the monarchy. It goes on to raise a series of questions about ”unauthorised flights” undertaken by Zwelithini since 1995, allegedly sanctioned by ANC leaders in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to Mtshali, Zwelithini’s domestic and international air travel has to be endorsed by the KwaZulu-Natal government. He believes the ANC is undermining this oversight.
Detailing the unauthorised flights, Mtshali says Zwelithini flew to Ghana in August 1995 to celebrate 300 years of the reign of Ashanti kings. He says Zwelithini flew from Lanseria, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, to Ghana at a cost of almost R130 000.
”Why is official protocol deliberately flouted?… Who arranged and paid for unathorised flights to Tai-pei and India during 2001? Who is arranging our King’s visit to England in June 2002?”
Commenting in his advertisement on Zwelithini’s visit to Swaziland, Mtshali says the king first requested the provincial government’s Lear-jet, then changed his mind and demanded the provincial helicopter.
On being told he would require immigration clearance available in KwaZulu-Natal only at Richard’s Bay, he secured diplomatic clearance from central government in Pretoria.
On reaching Swaziland, Zwelithini issued instructions for the helicopter to return to Ulundi and asked for
the Learjet to pick him up. Mtshali argues that the airport manager had no authority to make such arrangements and refused. Mtshali’s office then dispatched a car to pick Zwelithini up from the Swaziland border.
The ANC expressed outrage at Mtshali’s allegations. ”We realise that the King’s ‘crime’ is his resolve to remain above party politics, it said.
Relations between Zwelithini and the IFP, which sees itself as a guardian of Zulu culture and royalty, have been strained since 1994/95 because of the monarch’s perceived closeness to the ANC. The IFP believes the ANC has promised Zwelithini executive powers.