AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini dismissed Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as Traditional Prime Minister and appointed Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza to the role [1, 2].
The leadership change occurs amid deepening tensions within the royal house in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa [4]. The reshuffle of senior advisers reflects a period of instability and internal friction regarding the administration of the AmaZulu nation [4, 1].
King Misuzulu named Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza as the new uNdunankulu, the traditional title for the prime minister [3]. This move follows the removal of several key aides to the king as part of a broader effort to reorganize his inner circle [4].
This event marks the second dismissal of Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi from this position in less than one year [1]. The repeated turnover in the office of the Traditional Prime Minister highlights the volatility currently facing the royal court [4].
The dismissal of Buthelezi and the appointment of Chiliza were reported in May 2026 [4]. These shifts in leadership come as the monarchy navigates complex internal dynamics, and the management of traditional authority within the province [1, 4].
“King Misuzulu kaZwelithini dismissed Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as Traditional Prime Minister”
The frequent replacement of the uNdunankulu suggests a struggle for stability and alignment within King Misuzulu's administration. Because the Traditional Prime Minister serves as a critical link between the monarch and the traditional leadership structures, these repeated dismissals may signal deeper ideological or political divisions within the royal house that could affect the governance of the AmaZulu nation.
