King Misuzulu forgives Senzo Mchunu for raid on his palace
King Misulu kaZwelithini said although he is still aggrieved that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu led a police raid on his Mashobeni palace, he has forgiven him.
The king reported for the first time to the Zulu nation that his palace was raided a few months ago by police including National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Mchunu.
Speaking at the reconciliation imbizo (gathering) on Wednesday, Misuzulu said his palace had been raided by police, adding he was concerned about this as it had never happened during his father’s tenure.
Misuzulu had called the imbizo to give feedback to the Zulu nation after his victory at the Supreme Court of Appeal earlier this month. The court overruled the Pretoria High Court judgment which had set aside his recognition as a legitimate king by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022.
Misuzulu said he had decided to forgive the police and Mchunu as they are in serious trouble now in reference to allegations made against Mchunu at the Madlanga Commission and a parliamentary inquiry.
The king invoked a Zulu saying that when a man is down, he should not be further attacked.
“Police raided my palace here and were accompanied by those who are in charge of the country, and that’s why they are in these problems today. What is happening in the police is concerning us. It cannot be that the police ministry is run like this. We always regarded the police as our protectors but now they are criminals. They are good police officers but it pains me that those rogue ones are creating bad names for the good ones,” said Misuzulu.
Royal family spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu, elaborating on the raid, said Mchunu arrived with police top brass to meet the king over a private matter at Kwakhangelamankengane palace.
He said that while the king was still Kwakhangelamankengane, he learned that police had raided his Mashobeni palace with sniffer dogs.
Mchunu refused to comment, saying he is not taking any questions from the media.
“For now I am not talking to the media, so let us avoid that for now,” said Mchunu.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za