Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has accused the ANC-led provincial government of orchestrating the "subversion" of the Zulu monarchy.

Speaking in KwaDukuza during Heritage Day celebration, Buthelezi said the Zulu monarchy and the structure of traditional leadership were an expression of their identity, and it was for that reason that he spoke with "a heavy heart".

Buthelezi is also the chairman of the provincial House of Traditional Leaders.

"Our monarchy and the institution of traditional leadership has been systematically emasculated over many generations and even under our current democratic government.

"It is an attack on our very identity. But this year, an attack has been launched that could deliver a deadly blow to our culture and traditions," he said.

Buthelezi said history would record that the entire constitutional settlement was predicated largely on the promise that the powers and functions of the traditional leadership would be protected and that a provincial constitution alone would provide for the monarchy of KwaZulu-Natal and its kingdoms, which has never been the case.

"The most recent legislation, the National House of Traditional Leaders Bill and the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill, both of which I have opposed, foist on us a number of foreign elements. Indeed, a subversion of our monarchy is taking place."

He said the legislation prescribes to the king who he may have on his "so-called kingship council".

"Our nation is being forced into a mould in which we just do not fit," he said.

"There is just no way this will work."