Power Struggle Shakes Zulu Royal Council

What Happened?

A senior official in the Zulu Prime Minister Executive Council (PMEC) said the dismissal of Royal Chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi and the dissolving of the king’s private office stem from a power struggle over who gets closest to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.

Who Are the Key Players?

• King Misuzulu kaZwelithini – the AmaZulu monarch.
• Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi – traditional Prime Minister and head of the six‑member PMEC.
• Inkosi Malusi Zondi – Royal Chancellor, removed by the statement.
• Arnold Nododile – head of the king’s private office, also said to be dissolved.
• Prince Thulani Zulu – the king’s spokesperson, who confirmed the statement’s authenticity.

The Statement and the Confusion

On Friday, Buthelezi issued a statement on behalf of the king announcing Zondi’s removal and the end of Nododile’s office.

• The king’s spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu, backed the statement on Ukhozi FM.
• Yet Zondi and Nododile called the statement “fake,” saying they never heard of their dismissal from the king.
• Both men claim they spoke directly to the king, who denied knowing about the decision.

Why the Disagreement?

A senior royal family source described an ongoing “cold war” inside the PMEC.

• Before the PMEC existed, the Prime Minister could act after a quick chat with the king.
• Now every decision must first be discussed by the six‑member council, which some see as a curb on their power.
• The real fight, according to the source, is about proximity—who gets the king’s ear most often.

What Officials Say

• Zondi (in a video clip) insisted he is still the royal chancellor and that both Buthelezi and the king denied knowledge of the statement.
• Nododile said he called the king, who also denied approving the statement.
• Prince Thulani Zulu said he would not comment on the denials, leaving clarification to the king and the Prime Minister.
• The Prime Minister has not yet responded to questions about the confusion.

Looking Ahead

The situation highlights a tension between tradition and newer structures meant to share power. Until the king and the Prime Minister meet with KwaZulu‑Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli to clear things up, Zondi and Nododile say they will keep working in their offices.

Conclusion

The royal council’s internal disagreement shows how changes in decision‑making can spark rivalries over access and influence. For now, the Zulu nation waits to see who the king will ultimately listen to—and whether the PMEC will find a way to work together despite the “proximity war.”