The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal has fired a senior Zulu royal prince for alleged absenteeism.

Prince Mbonisi Zulu was fired through a letter dated 9 December 2024. 

He worked as a researcher in the anthropology division tasked with resolving chieftaincy disputes in the province. 

“It has been noted that you have failed to report for duty as from the 1st of October 2024 to date. You failed to present yourself for compulsory headcount during the second quarter of 2024 i.e. 1  July 2024 to 30 September 2024. 

“It is therefore the employer’s assertion that you have absented yourself from duty without permission,” reads part of the letter.

He was given five days to appeal the dismissal. 

“Consequently, you are deemed to have been dismissed from the Public Service with effect 30 September 2024, In terms of Section 17 (3) (b) of the Public Service Act, 1994. You have the right to make representations to the Executive Authority for reinstatement within 5 days of this letter.”

Prince Mbonisi said he has referred the matter to his lawyers for a way forward. 

This is the second time he has been fired from the position he notched in 2012. He was first fired in July this year, but the decision was later rescinded. 

The prince is a half-brother to the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March 2022. The late king is the one who recommended Prince Mbonisi to CoGTA for the job. 

Prince Mbonisi then led a royal faction that challenged the ascension of King Misuzulu to the throne.

He took the reigning King to court several times. In one of the prominent court cases, Prince Mbonisi  wanted King Misizulu to be stopped from appointing people to the board of the Ingonyama Trust and having access to trust funds to bankroll any of his cases or lifestyle.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed the application with costs