It is NOT clear about the return of the former judge, Mr. Jerome Ngwenya, to the fund that oversees Zulu’s land, the Ngonyama Trust, as the office of Zwelithini’s King Misuzulu Sinqobile says he has not been officially appointed to advise Mbube on issues affecting the Ngonyama Trust.
The issue of Ngwenya’s return came to light when the King called a meeting of kings at the palace in Mashobeni, last month.
In the call that was called to deliberate about the Ngonyama Trust, it was revealed that Mbube will bring back Ngwenya but it was not clear what role he will play.
Ngwenya was even given a chance to breathe in this meeting when he gave the kings the history of Ngonyama Trust.
So far it is not clear what role Ngwenya will play.
The secretary at Silo’s office, Mr. Arnold Nododile (Ndamase), said that Ngwenya was never officially appointed to advise Silo on matters concerning the Ngonyama Trust.
Silo’s spokesperson, Mntwana Thulani ka Gqikazi Zulu, urged that all questions be addressed to Nododile, lamenting that he was absent from last month’s call and was not at work due to the flu.
Ngwenya was the chairman of the Ngonyama Trust for years, until he left in 2023 when the King promoted King Thanduyise of Mpiyezintombi Mzimela to be the chairman of the board.
Ngwenya’s removal of the Ngonyama Trust chairmanship divided the kings.
There are kings, including the former prime minister of Zulu at the time, King Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who expressed their disapproval of Ngwenya’s release.
Ngwenya has been involved in a court battle with the existing Ngonyama Trust board, which accuses him of being involved in the disappearance of millions of dollars while he was in charge of the fund.
The High Court in Pietermaritzburg recently decided that Ngwenya should pay R30 million that went missing while he was in charge of the Ngonyama Trust.
This is the money with which Durban Municipality bought the land owned by Ngonyama Trust in Hammarsdale.
Evidence presented in court revealed that Ngwenya ordered the money to be deposited into his lawyer’s account.
The court decided to confiscate Ngwenya’s property.
The court also rejected Ngwenya’s request to be given the authority to challenge the court’s decision.
It is embroiled in a battle for control of the King Trust.
Lands MEC, Mzwanele Nyhontso, recently tried to dissolve the Ngomyama Trust board but his decision was overturned by the court.
On behalf of Silo, we want the law governing Ngonyama Trust to be amended so that it is the one who appoints the board members.
Last week, the team assigned by Silo held a meeting with the groups represented in Parliament, urging them to support Silo’s proposal.