The King of the Zulu nation, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, has once again reshuffled the leadership of his nation, axing his royal chancellor and the chief director in his private office.

The King also abolished the Office of the Royal Chancellor, which was occupied by Inkosi Malusi Zondi, with Prince Afrika Zulu serving as deputy royal chancellor.

In addition, King Misuzulu disbanded his private office and relieved its chief director, Squire Nododile Ndamase, of his duties.

The sudden changes were announced on Friday afternoon following what was described as a “comprehensive review”. The changes took immediate effect, with powers now vested in the office of the traditional prime minister.

“His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has, following a comprehensive review of the operational requirements of the Office of His Majesty, taken a decision to close the Private Office of His Majesty, with immediate effect.

In light of this development, the Chief Director in the Office of His Majesty the King, Nododile Ndamase, has been released from his duties, effective immediately.

“His Majesty has also disestablished the Office of the Royal Chancellor with immediate effect. His Majesty thanks Mr Malusi Zondi for the service that he has rendered while he occupied that office. All official correspondence should henceforth be directed to the Office of the Prime Minister. Further announcements in this regard will be communicated in due course,” the King said in a statement issued by Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister of the monarch and the Zulu nation.

However, the statement did not clarify whether Prince Afrika had also been removed, only confirming the axing of Zondi and the dissolution of the influential office.

Zondi, a businessman and leader of the Black Business Federation (BBF), was first appointed in November last year during a royal event at Mashobeni Royal Palace in Nongoma as an overseer.

In appreciation of the appointment, in line with Zulu tradition, Zondi and his clan gifted King Misuzulu 300 rare-breed cattle.

In January this year, the King elevated Zondi to the position of royal chancellor and tasked him with establishing relations between the Zulu Kingdom and other nations, a role that took him to several countries across the African continent.

More recently, the King tasked Zondi with intervening in disputes between employers, employees and communities.

He was also appointed to a royal team working on plans to prevent sugar giant Tongaat Hulett from liquidation, a role that brought him into engagements with ministers and business figures such as Robert Gumede.

Meanwhile, King Misuzulu met with the leadership of Standard Bank Group in Durban to strengthen relations between the Zulu nation and the banking group.

The delegation was led by Sim Tshabalala, the group’s chief executive officer (CEO), and discussions focused on matters of mutual interest in the banking sector.

INSIDE POLITICS

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