King Misuzulu reverses changes with return of royal chancellor
The announcement was made on Friday by the King's spokesperson, Mpikayise Buthelezi, who reportedly said the two had already resumed their duties.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has reinstated Inkosi Malusi Zondi as Royal Chancellor and Prince Afrika Zulu of the Onkweni Royal Household as Vice Chancellor, marking the latest development in an ongoing reshuffle within the Zulu Royal Household.
The announcement was made on Friday by the King’s spokesperson, Mpikayise Buthelezi, who reportedly said the two had already resumed their duties.
Zondi and Zulu had been dismissed in May by former Zulu Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, who has since been removed from his office.
In May, Buthelezi announced that the office of the royal chancellor was disestablished, which effectively meant that inkosi Zondi was fired.
However, this was dismissed by the King, denying any knowledge of a statement by Buthelezi on the disestablishment of the office of the royal chancellor. He subsequently nullified the dismissals, clarified that his office and staff were never meant to be removed,
As directed by His Majesty the King of the Zulu Nation, I wish to announce that Inkosi Malusi Zondi and His Royal Highness Prince Afrika Zulu have returned to their positions as Chancellor and Vice Chancellor respectively.
“The two are directed to carry on with the responsibilities previously assigned to them by His Majesty,” said Buthelezi.
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The reinstatement follows a series of changes to the King’s inner circle that have highlighted continuing tensions within the Royal Household.
King Misuzulu earlier this month dismissed Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as Traditional Prime Minister and named Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza as the new Traditional Prime Minister, marking the second time Buthelezi was removed from his office. He had been reinstated as prime minister in December 2025 after a brief removal since his initial appointment in 2024.
The changes also extended to the King’s communications team. Prince Thulani Zulu confirmed on Monday that he had been relieved of his duties as royal spokesperson, with Mpikayise Buthelezi taking over the role.
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The leadership changes are the latest chapter in a period of instability within the Zulu Royal Household, which has experienced ongoing disputes over key appointments and governance since King Misuzulu ascended the throne. Internal disagreements, legal challenges and competing factions have periodically spilled into the public domain, fuelling uncertainty over the administration of the monarchy.
