THE former chief executive who questioned the KwaZulu-Natal royal household trust footing the bill for King Goodwill Zwelithini's R2.8-million military regalia, wedding and other expenses wants his job back.
Njabulo Buthelezi resigned in June following clashes with the chair of the trust, Judge Jerome Ngwenya, over the procurement of services and goods.
Buthelezi will tell the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) that the trust's procurement policy was erratic.
In February, he questioned a quotation of more than R2.8-million for imported military regalia for Zwelithini, his wives, children and the Ingonyama Trust board to be worn at the second opening of the provincial legislature in June.
A month later, Buthelezi questioned the procurement of an outside speech writer for the monarch when the royal household department was tasked with the duty.
In May, Buthelezi was told that procurement for one queen applied to Zwelithini's six wives.
In June, Buthelezi questioned why the royal household department was not paying for Zwelithini's wedding and birthday party.
The royal household department was set up "to create a sustainable, conducive environment for the Zulu Monarch in which to lead, develop and protect the Zulu Nation", according to the KZN government.
The trust has since failed to settle the outstanding R1.6-million owed to Sizwe Gwala, owner of Xolisisizwe Trading and Projects, that organised the 66-year-old king's wedding to 28-year-old Swazi national Zola Mafu in July.
The royal household department was allocated R54.2-million for the 2014-2015 financial year for administrative services to the king and his family; "maintenance of the royal household infrastructure [and] refurbishment of the six palaces" and R2.9-million to run the king's five farms.
The trust will respond to Buthelezi's papers by January 20 ahead of the start of the CCMA hearing in Febuary.
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