Buthelezi attacked on social media after comments on anti-immigrant protests

Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the king’s Traditional Prime Minister, has come under heavy fire on social media after criticising leaders of the protests against illegal immigration and warning that Zulu warriors (amabutho) must act only under the command of the king.

Comments that sparked the backlash

Introducing Inkosi Malusi Zondi as head of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s Economy and Cultural Envoy, Buthelezi used the occasion to criticise the leaders of the marches. The protests are associated with Nkosikhona Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba and a former Ukhozi FM radio personality, who are known to lead demonstrations wearing Zulu regalia and bearing shields and sticks.

Buthelezi said there is no one who has a right to rally amabutho without the permission of the king, and he labelled Ndabandaba and Mchunu as opportunists. By virtue of his position, Buthelezi may be regarded as a second-in-command of the Zulu army.

Social media and political reaction

The remarks provoked a wave of criticism online, with people insulting him and using derogatory names. Among those who spoke out was Lindokuhle Xulu, an ANC Youth League activist from Buthelezi’s hometown of Vryheid, who accused him of abusing his position and putting the royal family into disrepute.

“Buthelezi is putting the Zulu royal family into disrepute. Since his return to the royal family there is no stability. By attacking Ngizwe Mchunu, he contradicts the king, who publicly appointed Mchunu as a warrior leader of the amabhinca nation (traditionalists). We believe it was wrong for the king to appoint a politician to the position of Traditional Prime Minister,” said Xulu.

Wider context

Buthelezi’s criticism came amid growing calls for the king to speak out after the death of a young Tsonga boy in Mossel Bay, a death that people linked to the protests. The king denied that the protests are an initiative of the Zulu people and said illegal immigration concerns everyone, not just Zulus.

The protests have prompted responses from national leaders. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation, saying he would expedite the deportation of illegal immigrants and warning against vigilantism. He also said people calling for deportation were not necessarily xenophobic.