One of the six “suspended” members of the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) has resigned from the entity with immediate effect.

Inkosi Mabhudu Israel Tembe, the traditional leader of the Tembe clan In UMhlabuyalingana, resigned from the board on Thursday.

In a letter dated 9 January 2025 sent to Mzwanele Nyhontso, the Minister For Rural Development and Land Affairs and seen by African Times, Inkosi Tembe threw in the towel, citing personal reasons.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have taken the decision to resign as a Board member. The reason for this resignation is personal. The resignation is with immediate effect. “I will always value and treasure the training, capacitation and experience that was achieved during my time as a Board member,” Inkosi Tembe said in his letter which was also copied to King Misuzulu.

“I would like to thank His Majesty the King, Misuzulu KaZwelithini, The Chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board and ITB Office for the rare opportunity that was afforded to me to be a Board member of an institution of this high calibre.”

He wished the remaining board members well.

“I wish the remaining Board Members and the entire ITB staff all the best as they navigate through this trying period,” Inkosi Tembe added.  

He was appointed to the board in March 2023. Inkosi Tembe confirmed his resignation to the African Times when contacted to verify the authenticity of the resignation letter obtained.

His resignation comes amid a power struggle over the control of the lucrative trust which oversees millions of hectares of tribal land across KwaZulu-Natal.

Its sole trustee, Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini accused the board members of undermining his authority and sidelining him after he took over as the chairperson of the board.

Late last month, he suspended the six board members, Advocate Linda Zama, Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe, Inkosi Phallang Molefe, Inkosi Sibonelo Mkhize, Dandy Matamela and Nomusa Zulu.

The King also suspended the chief executive officer, Adv Vela Mngwengwe and the chief financial officer, Siyamdumisa Vilakazo.

That sparked a showdown between him, Nyhontso, Mngwengwe, and some board members, who told him that he did not have the powers to do so as only the minister could. The King fired back and told Nyhontsho that, as the king of the Zulu nation, he had the powers over the board.

On Friday, January 10, Zulu royal regiments loyal to the King Misuzulu had planned to march to the offices of the trust in Pietermaritzburg to voice their displeasure over how the monarch is being defied regarding his decision over the board. 

However, that planned protest was canned after Mngwengwe told the trust staff not to come to work, citing safety fears.