MBABANE – His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has taken decisive steps to ensure the governance of the Ingonyama Trust aligns with its founding legislation, deploying the Prime Minister’s Executive Council (PMEC) to Parliament to formally engage on the matter.
The King, in his capacity as Sole Trustee of the Ingonyama Trust, emphasised that the Trust’s land and governance are not ceremonial. “This statutory position carries with it defined legal responsibilities to ensure that the Trust is administered for the benefit, material welfare and social well-being of the communities residing on the land,” the King said in a statement issued yesterday.
To strengthen accountability and institutional integrity, His Majesty has initiated processes aimed at restoring alignment between the legal framework of the Trust and its practical administration. He clarified that these steps are meant to reinforce, not undermine, existing governance structures, ensuring that they operate in proper relation to the Office of the Sole Trustee.
In line with this approach, the PMEC delegation will participate in Parliamentary proceedings scheduled for April 23 and 24, 2026. The delegation includes key figures from the Zulu Kingdom, such as Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, Deputy Prime Minister Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza and representatives of the King in traditional structures.
They will be supported by a panel of senior legal and academic advisors, including Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi and Professors Jabulani Maphalala and Gugu Mazibuko.
“The delegation carries a clear mandate from His Majesty to engage constructively, yet firmly, on the necessity of ensuring that the governance and administration of the Ingonyama Trust are properly aligned with its founding legislation and purpose,” the statement added.
The King reaffirmed that governance arrangements relating to the Trust must recognise that the land is held in trust under his custodianship, while remaining compliant with the Constitution and South African law.
His Majesty further reiterated his commitment to a cooperative and lawful process, engaging with the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Parliament, and all relevant stakeholders. At the same time, he will continue to exercise his responsibilities as Sole Trustee to protect the integrity of the Trust and advance the interests of its beneficiaries.
The deployment of the PMEC to Parliament signals a new phase in the oversight and governance of the Ingonyama Trust, highlighting the King’s determination to secure its future through lawful, accountable, and properly aligned arrangements.
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