The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontsho, has reached out to King Misuzulu KaZwelithini to get his nod to suspend four members of the Ingonyama Trust Board.
In a letter dated 4 December 2025, Nyhontsho says the suspension of the board members will allow the investigation that is being undertaken by Adv Marumo Moerane SC (senior counsel) to go unhindered.
The members to be suspended are Advocate Linda Zama, Dr Thandi Dlamini, Inkosi Nomusa Zulu, and Ndzambudzeni Matamela.
“As your Majesty is aware, I have appointed Adv Marumo Moerane, SC, to conduct an investigation into the affairs of the Ingonyama Trust Board. In order to enable the investigation to proceed without any interference by the Board members, I am considering placing them on special leave.
“I recognize that the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Act no. 3KZ of 1994,(the Act) does not make express provision for the placement of Board members on special leave, I have however taken legal advice which recommends that I follow the same process that is prescribed in terms of Sec 2A(3)(b) for the appointment and termination of board members. This process requires that I appoint and/or terminate only after consultation with yourself,” he wrote to King Misuzulu.
Nyhontsho said he will also consult with the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli and others on the matter.
“Therefore, this letter serves to consult you in terms of the above section. It should also be noted that I will also consult with the Premier and the chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in compliance with the Act,” Nyhontso added.
King Misuzulu is the sole trustee of the trust which oversees millions of hectares of tribal land across KwaZulu-Natal, and he is consulted on all board matters.
The Zulu King is also serving as the chairperson of the divided board.
Nyhontsho further advised the Zulu king that once he has authorised the suspensions, he will write to the board members to make representations on why they should not be suspended.
“I further want to advise you that after your response to my consultation, I am going to communicate my intention to place them on special leave to the Board members to afford them the opportunity to make written representations to myself on the reasons they shouldn’t be placed on special leave.”
“Once a decision is made, that too will be communicated to yourself. I look forward to receiving your response regarding this consultation process on or before the 12th of December 2025.”
The spokesperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board, Simphiwe Mxakaza, told the African Times that the members have not received anything about the pending move.
