DA calls for clarity on protection of new Zulu King

11 May 2021

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, Sihle Zikalala, and Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to urgently provide clarity regarding the issue of VIP security for King Misuzulu KaZwelithini.

The move follows recent confusing media reports and statements issued by, among others, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Office of the KZN Premier and the SAPS security services when it comes to protection provided to His Majesty.

The DA notes the conflicting reports with concern. Initially we were led to believe that VIP protection had been assigned to the King. A short while later, Prince Buthelezi announced that it had been withdrawn, only for the Premier and SAPS to deny that this was the case.

The DA is indeed alarmed by the confusion surrounding this matter. Certainly, the situation cannot be left to continue like this. The Zulu nation as a whole has suffered untold loss during the past few weeks. The kind of chaos we are now witnessing as a result of political squabbling is both unnecessary and disturbing.

In this regard, we now call on the Premier and the Commissioner to take the Zulu nation and the people of KZN into their confidence and urgently provide clarity on the current status quo when it comes to the King’s safety.

In addition, we call on the Premier and Commissioner to convene a media conference and explain what is really happening rather than just issuing media statements.

It is now critical that all parties involved put aside their political differences in the interests of stability in the province and within the monarchy.

Issued by Zwakele Mncwango, DA KZN Spokesperson on the Office of the Premier/Royal Household, 11 May 2021