KZN Economic Development MEC Siboniso Duma, who is also the ANC provincial chairperson, displayed open defiance of the Zulu nation’s prime minister, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, yesterday when he grabbed the mic from him as he was speaking.

The incident happened during the 110^th anniversary celebration of the late Zulu King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo which was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa at kwaCeza outside the Ulundi CBD.

Earlier Duma had protested against the King’s Imbongi (poet) decision that Buthelezi should introduce the king before his majesty could address the crowd.

“Protocol dictates that the prime minister should usher in the king as the prime minister was given that job by the king,” the Imbongi could be heard saying.

However, when Buthelezi started speaking and mentioned the name of ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, Duma stood up and grabbed the mic from the prime minister.

A group of Amabutho (Zulu regiments) who were part of the crowd then started to heckle Duma.

Buthelezi, who is also the IFP mayor of the Zululand District Municipality, was appointed by the Zulu king in January to replace the late Zulu nation prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died in September.

However, the Zululand Municipality mayor’s appointment did not go down well with the ANC provincial leadership, which in the past had accused him of abusing his mayoral position.