The Ingonyama Trust threatens legal action against King Misuzulu after he defies government orders and suspends the board, sparking a major constitutional and power struggle.

The Ingonyama Trust, the custodial body of land held in trust for the Zulu Kingdom, is at the center of a brewing storm, as tensions between the trust’s board and King Misuzulu kaZwelithini escalate to unprecedented levels.

In a shocking twist, the Trust has threatened legal action against the King, accusing him of undermining the authority of the board and defying the directive of South Africa’s Land Reform Minister.

The dramatic conflict began when King Misuzulu allegedly ordered security to prevent board members from entering the Trust’s offices in Pietermaritzburg, with the King’s lawyer reportedly arriving at the scene to reinforce his demands.

This unprecedented move has left many questioning the legal and constitutional limits of the King’s powers over the Trust.

The roots of this conflict can be traced back to earlier this year when Misuzulu, who also serves as the chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust, unilaterally dismissed the entire board.

The decision came as a surprise to many, with the King accusing the board of financial mismanagement and other internal issues.

In his sweeping action, Misuzulu took the unprecedented step of assuming full control of the Trust, effectively sidelining the board, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

In a further escalation, he granted power of attorney to a law firm, Van Rensburg Kruger Rakwena Attorneys, to manage the affairs of the Trust in the absence of the board and instructed them to carry out a forensic investigation into the Trust’s finances over the past five years.

However, this move has sparked intense controversy, with the South African government now intervening to assert its authority over the Trust.

The Minister of Land Reform, Mzwanele Nyhontso, made it clear that only he, not the King, has the constitutional authority to dissolve or suspend the Trust’s board.

Minister Nyhontso’s statement was a direct challenge to Misuzulu’s actions, declaring that the King’s decision to remove the board was not only unlawful but had no legal standing.

According to the Ingonyama Trust Act and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the power to appoint, remove, or suspend members of the Trust’s board is vested in the Minister of Land Reform.

This clear legal framework places the Minister in control of the Trust’s operations, not the King, despite the latter’s role as its sole trustee.

The King’s decision to suspend the board has sparked significant legal and political uncertainty.

Sources within the Trust have confirmed that, in response to the King’s orders, security was instructed to block board members and other officials from accessing the Trust’s offices, leaving staff members confused and anxious about what would happen next.

According to an anonymous senior official within the Trust, if King Misuzulu persists in his unlawful actions, the Trust would be left with no choice but to take him to court.

The official explained, “If the King continues as if the Trust has been dissolved, we will have no option but to take the matter to court.

The Land Reform Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso clearly spelt out to the King that it was he—and not the King—who had powers to dissolve or suspend the board. So, his action was unlawful.”

On Sunday, a source within the Trust suggested that Monday would be a pivotal day. The board, armed with government guarantees, was prepared to resume normal operations, confident in their legal standing.

Meanwhile, the King’s legal team, led by Stephen Rakwena of Van Rensburg Kruger Rakwena Attorneys, was also expected to be present in Pietermaritzburg, adding to the growing tension between the Trust’s staff and the King’s representatives.

It remains to be seen whether the legal dispute will reach a dramatic court showdown, but the situation is far from resolved.

The Minister of Land Reform, in his formal response to the King’s actions, reminded Misuzulu that he did not “own” the Ingonyama Trust, highlighting the legal fact that the Trust’s operations are governed by statutes that place executive control firmly in the hands of the Minister.

Minister Nyhontso further clarified that, under the provisions of the Ingonyama Trust Act, only he has the authority to appoint and remove board members, ensuring that the process remains separate from the influence of the King.

“From the above provisions of both the PFMA and the Ingonyama Trust Act, it is evident that only the Minister appoints the board in terms of the Act, and the PFMA further empowers the Minister to appoint or remove—and by extension suspend—the members of the board as the entity’s executive authority,” Nyhontso asserted.

The Minister also emphasized that the King’s decision to appoint forensic investigators was another unlawful action, as it was the responsibility of the board, not the King, to appoint such investigators.

This additional legal blow could have far-reaching consequences for Misuzulu’s position, further eroding his authority over the Trust.

Despite the King’s legal team remaining silent on the matter, and his spokesperson Prince Simphiwe Zulu declining to comment, the situation is growing increasingly tense.

The potential for a legal battle looms large, with the Ingonyama Trust threatening court action if Misuzulu continues to defy government directives.

The case also raises fundamental questions about the balance of power within the Zulu Kingdom, especially in relation to the Trust, which holds vast swathes of land and has significant cultural and political importance.

As the dispute intensifies, the implications for South African governance, traditional leadership, and land reform are profound.

The Ingonyama Trust represents a unique and powerful institution, and the outcome of this legal conflict could have a lasting impact on the relationship between traditional leaders and the government.

For now, the board members, staff, and legal teams on both sides are preparing for what promises to be a highly charged and potentially historic legal confrontation.

The people of the Zulu Kingdom and the wider South African public will be watching closely to see who will prevail in this high-stakes power struggle.