KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has hit back at critics of his 2024 trip to New York, dismissing the backlash as “false, malicious, and politically motivated.” His office issued a sharp rebuke against what it called “inflammatory social media attacks,” accusing detractors of trying to undermine his leadership ahead of a crucial address on governance challenges.
The Premier’s office clarified that the visit was an official government engagement, not a personal vacation. Ntuli led a provincial delegation to a global climate change conference, which his administration deemed vital for KZN—a region repeatedly battered by floods and extreme weather. The trip aimed to secure partnerships and funding to bolster disaster resilience.
“Other provinces, including Gauteng and the Western Cape, participated in the same event,” the statement noted, countering claims of impropriety. It also suggested the timing of the criticism was deliberate, calling it a “distraction” ahead of Ntuli’s planned public address on pressing provincial issues.
The controversy flares as Ntuli’s administration faces mounting scrutiny, though no formal evidence of misconduct related to the trip has emerged. Opposition parties have yet to respond to the Premier’s latest defense.
