IFP founder still recovering in hospital – spokesperson
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who also serves as the prime minister to the Zulu king, was admitted to hospital two weeks ago.
While IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is still in hospital, following his admission two weeks ago, his condition is improving.
That is according to Buthelezi’s spokesperson Liezl van der Merwe, who says he is ‘receiving treatment and recovering’.
Buthelezi (94) went to hospital two weeks ago for routine tests and treatment, but had to undergo a ‘minor procedure’ to relieve back pain, due to his prolonged back problem.
Shortly after being discharged, Buthelezi was readmitted after some complications arising from the procedure.
Buthelezi, who has survived a Covid-19 infection twice, is currently serving as an IFP MP in the national Parliament.
Key roles which Buthelezi holds include that of being prime minister to the Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
The king and Buthelezi
At the time of Buthelezi’s admission to hospital, the relationship between the IFP founder and the king had soured.
At the heart of the dispute between the king and Buthelezi was His Majesty’s decision to remove long-serving Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) member Jerome Ngwenya from the ITB chairperson position.
Among other grievances over the king’s decision, Buthelezi was of the view that His Majesty should have consulted him before removing Ngwenya.
It has since transpired that the king will not be visiting Buthelezi in hospital.
However, the king’s spokesperson, Prince Afrika Zulu, says His Majesty’s inability to visit Buthelezi in hospital had nothing to with the dispute between the king and the IFP founder.
Zulu Royal Family traditions, Zulu says, prohibits the king from visiting places such as hospitals, mortuaries and funerals.
Despite being unable to visit Buthelezi in hospital, the king has up-to-date information on the IFP founder’s condition, according to his spokesperson.
The president
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that Buthelezi was in the intensive care unit.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa wishes Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi a speedy recovery. President Ramaphosa has communicated with the Buthelezi family, who have briefed him about Prince Buthelezi’s health condition. The president has expressed his well-wishes and conveyed that his heartfelt prayers are with Prince Buthelezi and the family,” the presidency said in a statement.
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