KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has stopped Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi’s contentious proposal to open a third ministerial office in Ulundi. The plan had drawn criticism for potentially undermining assurances made before the May elections by the IFP and DA that Pietermaritzburg would remain the provincial capital.
The office’s opening ceremony, scheduled for Thursday and set to feature Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, was canceled following media scrutiny of the plan’s adherence to the Ministerial Handbook. The handbook permits MECs to maintain only two offices; Buthelezi already operates from Pietermaritzburg and Mayville in Durban.
Speaking in Richmond, Ntuli explained the decision, emphasizing adherence to proper protocols. “We don’t want people to say the government didn’t follow the correct processes,” Ntuli said, adding that the public would be updated after compliance issues are addressed.
The Ulundi office is housed in a precinct previously used by the provincial government before Pietermaritzburg was reinstated as the provincial capital in 2004. The proposal to reopen the office had sparked concerns within the government of provincial unity (GPU), particularly among coalition partners like the ANC and DA.
The plan also reignited debates about relocating the provincial legislature and government headquarters back to Ulundi, a move historically supported by some IFP leaders who cite Ulundi’s cultural significance to the Zulu people. However, the proposal was shelved after the IFP secured only 18% of the vote in May’s general elections, failing to win a majority.
The ANC and DA have expressed opposition to the relocation, citing cost concerns. Before 2004, the government reportedly spent millions monthly transporting and accommodating officials in Ulundi. Although some IFP members argue that Ulundi’s proximity to key sites, such as King Misuzulu’s palace and the home of IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, justifies its role, the party has not passed a resolution supporting a move.
Ntuli, also the IFP’s provincial chairperson, reiterated that while Ulundi remains culturally significant, no formal steps have been taken to shift the legislature or establish a third ministerial office. The move reflects a balancing act between respecting tradition and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
