By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal has broken its silence on the dismissal of King Misuzulu KaZwelithini’s senior advisor and praise singer Buzetsheni Mdletshe.
Mdletshe challenged ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma when he grabbed the microphone from Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister to the Zulu Monarch.
The incident occurred during the 110th commemoration of the death of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo. Misuzulu, President Cyril Ramaphosa, KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and other high-profile dignitaries attended the event.
After the event, ANC supporters were attacked by people the party said were “IFP supporters” and 16 were seriously injured.
The incident raised fears that violence between the ANC and IFP could reignite, especially during the final phase of campaigning ahead of the 29 May general elections.
KZN, with 5.7 million registered voters, is set to be one of the fiercest election battlegrounds. Opinion polls suggest the province will be ruled by a coalition government, led by either the ANC or the IFP.
A one-page letter dated 18 April 2024 was sent to Mdletshe to inform him of his contract’s termination.
“As you may be aware, the office of the Premier, like all other government departments and entities, has experienced substantial budget cuts. As a result, the office of the Premier inevitably had to review its spending… and operational plans, as well as all agreements and contracts that were concluded with private entities, “the letter reads.
King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini has since voiced his discontent with the ANC-led KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, citing their mistreatment of himself and those within his circle.
However the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal has noted with concern false reports that claim that the Office has fired His Majesty, King Misuzulu praise singer Mdletshe.
In a statement, The Office of the Premier said, Mdletshe was employed by the provincial government until he reached his retirement age and he was paid all his benefits in 2021.”
“At the request the late King Zwelithini kaBhekizulu, Mdletshe was employed on contract for further two years using the same persal number, beyond the compulsory retirement age.”
“However the department says it already had two praise singers in a form of Mtshali and Mkhize and due to financial constraints it would have been a duplicate to utilise the services of Mdletshe.
“In the event, the provincial government needs the servirces of Mdletshe, his services will be sourced through Zulu Royal Trust.”