Explosive Revelations at Zulu King's Imbizo: Ingonyama Trust Board Members Implicated in Major Corruption Scandal

In a bold move, Dr. Thandiwe Dlamini, member of the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB), has exposed alleged severe corruption within the organization, accusing several high-ranking officials of misconduct and criminal activity. The accusations were made at an imbizo convened by Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at the Mashobeni royal palace in Nongoma.

Under the solemnity of an oath, Dr. Dlamini highlighted a series of problematic actions purportedly carried out by key ITB figures, including CEO Adv Vela Mngwengwe and acting board CFO Siyamdumisa Vilakazi. One of the more damning claims involved former board chair Jerome Ngwenya, whom Dlamini accused of illegally selling Ingonyama Trust land valued at approximately R30 million without obtaining necessary permissions.

Dr. Dlamini conveyed her concerns, bolstered by audio clips she played during the imbizo, which allegedly captured incriminating conversations among board members. In one such recording, it was revealed that a farm owned by the Trust in uMhlali, worth R21 million, was sold without the king’s consent—an act of grave concern as the king is the sole trustee.

Amidst her revelations, Dr. Dlamini criticized the substantial salary increase granted to Vilakazi, who allegedly received an additional R600,000 annually atop an already substantial million-plus rand salary, questioning the justification behind such an increment given the financial activities she outlined.

The ITB has yet to respond substantively to these allegations, as spokesperson Simphiwe Mxhakaza noted that the board was observing the proceedings and would deliberate on an appropriate response after meeting.

The imbizo also served as a platform for Dr. Dlamini to announce her resignation, a decision she attributed to the untenable corruption and her ongoing battle against it within the board. She urged Mewanyele Nyhontso, the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, to dissolve the ITB within seven days or face action from amabutho (Zulu warriors) who support the king.

This scandal not only casts a shadow over the ITB but also underscores the ongoing tensions between the Zulu monarchy and the board. Previously, King Misuzulu had attempted unsuccessfully to suspend the board, indicating a deep-seated rift exacerbated by resistance from key ITB members against his authority.

The imbizo has stirred widespread calls for protection for Dr. Dlamini, with Inkosi Sifiso Shinga, chair of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, emphasizing the need to safeguard her life following her controversial disclosures.

As the Zulu community and broader South African public eye the unfolding developments, the imbizo may mark a critical turning point in addressing alleged corruption within one of South Africa’s significant traditional governance structures.