King Miszulu Ka Zwelithini.
Zulu King Miszulu Kazwelithini has accused the KwaZulu-Natal premier's office of disrespecting him as ruler of the Zulu nation.
In a media statement issued by Royal Prime Minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi on Tuesday, Misulu called the ministry's decision to “terminate the employment contract of Imbongi (praise singers)” as a disrespect to the Zulu royal family.
Bzetseni Mdreshe from Imbongi has been a staff member of the Prime Minister's Office for several years, serving as a guide to Misulu, especially during traditional ceremonies.
According to a media statement issued by Buthelezi on behalf of the King, the ministry recently terminated Mdreshe's employment contract.
“His Majesty King Misulu Kazwelithini has expressed extreme displeasure at the KZN Government’s continued disrespectful treatment of the King.
“Due to recent incidents, the Prime Minister's Office has terminated the employment contract of His Majesty's Cultural Adviser, Mr. Inyosi Bzetseni Mdleshe,” the statement said.
Buthelezi said the termination of Mdreshe's employment contract was done without any consultation with the king.
“His Majesty is disappointed that the KZN government is being run as if the King does not exist.”
Mdleshe is also the imbongi of the late Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini and has been the Zulu royal praise singer since 1977.
“He is a trusted senior official who is committed to His Majesty's day-to-day activities. His Majesty has warned the KZN government that its disrespectful attitude towards the Royal Family in general and His Majesty in particular is an insult to the Zulu people,” Buthelezi said. said.
The King's criticism of the Prime Minister's Office comes weeks after he launched an investigation into the conduct of KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Siboniso Duma, following an incident during an event attended by Misulu and President Cyril Ramaphosa. It was done. Kwaseza on the outskirts of Ulundi, 1 month ago.
Mr Duma, who is the event's program director, grabbed the microphone from Mr Buthelezi while the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation gave a speech.
The Prime Minister's Office announced that Mdreshe's contract as an employee expired in 2020, when he reached the retirement age of 65. He then added that the contract he entered into was a service provider contract.
This article first appeared in The Witness.