By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (Saps) Khehla John Sithole has dismissed claims that security for the Zulu royal family had been withdrawn.
In a curt statement the Commissioner said protection for the family is “informed by a threat assessment which is reviewed on an on-going basis” and that it had not been withdrawn.
Quoting AmaZulu Traditional Minister prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi,on Sunday morning that protective services were instructed to withdraw from the royal palace.
According to the report, the instruction was sent out by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial Saps commissioner without the knowledge of the royal household or incoming king Misizulu KaZwelithini.
On Friday evening chaos erupted following the reading of late regent Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu’s will. In the will she named prince Misuzulu as the preferred candidate to ascend to the throne.
Gunshots were reportedly heard amid the commotion and the prince and his siblings were whisked away to safety.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala also dismissed allegations of the withdrawal of police protection.
Zikalala verified the claims with KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Peggy Nkonyeni and Police Minister Bheki Cele.
Zikalala said: “Following these engagements, we hereby reject these allegations as baseless and misleading. All Royal palaces are under the protection of the South African Police Services and this will continue. The Royal Protection Services is at the palace as we speak.
“In fact, there has even been a re-enforcement of security on all the palaces with the Tactical Response Unit (TRT). There will never be any effort to weaken security at the Royal palaces of His Majesty the King.
“As the government has always done, we shall, at all times, take the responsibility of ensuring the safety and protection of the palaces and their inhabitants, especially His Majesty, the King.”