IZINDUNA have told ANC provincial chairman Siboniso Duma that Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi is the official Zulu prime minister whether he recognises him or not.
They said Buthelezi was appointed by the reigning Zulu King Misuzulu and must be respected.
Izinduna hosted a media briefing at the Blue Water Hotel in Durban on Tuesday, 19 March.
Izinduna broke their silence for the first time after the incident where Duma snatched the microphone from Buthelezi when he was about to call Misuzulu to address people during the 11th commemoration of King Dinizulu on Saturday, 16 March.
Duma's action received mixed reactions as many viewed his behaviour as a sign of disrespecting the Zulu king and Mzansi.
During the media briefing, induna Muzi Nyandeni said the prime minister is not voted by the people but appointed by the king.
“So, if you respect the Zulu King and the nation, you must respect his people and the prime minister. You must respect him whether you recognise him or not,” said Nyandeni.
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Induna Sipho Mhlongo responded to Duma, who said the Zulu prime minister position is not constitutionally recognised.
“The Zulu prime minister is the right-hand man of the king, so if he has appointed one, we all respect that. It's disappointing to hear someone talking like that about the structure of the Zulu monarch. What Duma did at that event is very degrading of our prime minister and a big sign of disrespect,” he said.
Regarding the attack on the ANC supporters, izinduna said it's wrong to claim that they were attacked by any political party because the incident happened after the event had long ended.
ANC KZN secretary Bheki Mtolo has publicly apologised for Duma’s behaviour. He explained that they only apologised because it happened in front of the king and the president, not because Duma reprimanded Buthelezi.
“ANC KZN provincial chair Siboniso Duma apologised for disciplining Thulasizwe Buthelezi in front of the king and president,” said Mtolo.
He said that the ANC has deep respect for the Zulu throne, and the ANC has apologised unreservedly to the king and Ramaphosa for the unfortunate scenes that played out on Saturday.
“Duma, as the programme director, acted firmly against Councillor Thulasizwe Buthelezi after realising that he was using the podium to launch a political attack. To err is human. "Duma erred in reprimanding Buthelezi in front of the elders. For this, he has apologised,” said Mtolo.
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