King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has empowered his Royal Chancellor, Inkosi Malusi Zondi, to scrutinise the performance of the Office of the Traditional Prime Minister, the office whose former holder announced Zondi’s removal in May.
The authority is contained in a signed appointment letter dated 7 October 2026, seen by Africa Daily, which gives Zondi oversight powers over the Prime Minister’s office and other royal structures.
Under the appointment, Zondi must, “under Our direction, oversee and review the performance of the Office of the Traditional Prime Minister and of other Royal offices, councils, committees and representatives entrusted with Royal duties.”
He is authorised to “request reports through authorised channels, identify shortcomings and submit recommendations to Us for corrective action,” the letter states.
The King, however, retains ultimate authority over appointments, removals and disciplinary decisions.
Any such decision reserved to the monarch, the letter states, “shall remain subject to Our determination.”
The appointment also formally separates the Chancellor’s office from the King’s Private Office, establishing a direct reporting line to the monarch.
“The Office of the Royal Chancellor and Royal Vice Chancellor is independent of the Private Office and reports directly to Us,” the letter reads.
It further declares that the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor’s office is “responsible for the administration of the Zulu Kingdom as a whole.”
Zondi has also been entrusted with the “Defence of the Crown”, a mandate that includes protecting the King against “threats, unlawful interference, malicious misrepresentation and any conduct intended to undermine Our person or the Royal institution.”
However, the letter instructs him to distinguish legitimate concern and criticism from threats or unlawful conduct.
His responsibilities extend to overseeing security arrangements for the King and the royal family, as well as royal communications and “responses to false or damaging claims.”
The appointment also introduces an explicit requirement for written authorisation before financial commitments can be made in the Crown’s name.
“No commitment binding the Crown may be made without the required written authority,” the letter warns.
Signed at Emashobeni Royal Palace, the appointment was accepted by Zondi on the same day.
“I, Inkosi Malusi Zondi, accept this appointment and undertake to discharge its duties faithfully and lawfully,” he wrote.
The letter formalises Zondi’s return to the position, which was first announced in July, but goes further by spelling out his powers and responsibilities.
At the time, the King’s spokesperson announced that Zondi and Prince Afrika Zulu had returned as Royal Chancellor and Royal Vice Chancellor, respectively. Zondi was instructed to resume the duties he had previously held.
The October appointment now explicitly places the performance of the Traditional Prime Minister’s office within the Chancellor’s oversight responsibilities, albeit under the King’s direction.
Zondi, a Durban businessman, was initially appointed Royal Chancellor in November 2025, replacing Sibongiseni Mbambo, the owner of Mushroom Lounge.
His position was thrown into uncertainty in May when the Chancellor’s office was shut down following media reports linking his company to an R8.5-million invoice submitted to Stefanutti Stocks in connection with the uMngeni-uThukela Water project.
The announcement of his removal came from then Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi. Zondi disputed the move, saying the King had denied knowledge of the letter announcing his removal.
In June, Zondi was redeployed as the King’s representative at the eMbelebeleni hostel in KwaMashu.
The following month, the King removed Buthelezi as Traditional Prime Minister and appointed Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza to the position.
The latest appointment gives Zondi a defined role in reviewing the performance of the very office whose former head announced his removal, while making clear that the ultimate authority over royal appointments and disciplinary decisions remains with the King.