The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal has on behalf of the Provincial Government expressed shock and saddness after receiving the news of the passing of Prince Muntukaphiwana Milton Mbongiseni Zulu, who passed away after he was allegedly shot by unknown assassins in Nongoma last night.
“We are a province in pain, grief and shock following the devastating news of the Senior Prince who is also one of the fathers to His Majesty King MisuZulu kaZwelithini,”said Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
The passing of Prince Mbongiseni marks a string of tragic losses of life as he is the third member of the royals from the Osuthu Traditional Council to be killed.
Prince Mbongiseni was a warm and wonderful human being. He was a voice of reason and often demonstrated his maturity and sense of proportion when dealing with matters of the Royal Family. Our last major interaction has been in the important ceremonies of Ukungena esibayeni, the Reed Dance and the Handing Over of the Certificate to His Majesty the King. He played an instrumental role in the success of this historic events.
It is clear that those who are behind these acts of violence are set on planting the seeds of division and to coke more killings in the province. We call on the nation and the people of KwaZulu-Natal not to allow angels of doom to drive a wedge between our fellow citizens and to allow the police to get to the bottom of the matter.
We will miss his sense of humour and sense of cordiality gained from being part of the foundations of our democracy during his tenure with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and as a Member of Parliament and a Councilor until his passing last night.
This murder comes a few days after Police Minister Bheki Cele named guns as the “weapon of choice” in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of Gauteng and the Western Cape. More people are killed using guns in the province than anywhere else in the country.
We call on Provincial Commissioner of Police Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to prioritize these murders which should not be allowed to take root in our province. Working with the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster and other arms of government we must work towards instilling a culture of peaceful resolution of disagreements and not to resort to violence as an option.
On behalf of the government and people of KwaZulu-Natal, we wish His Majesty King MisuZulu kaZwelithini and the Royal Family all the strength and extend our condolences in this hour of pain and loss. We pray for the family of Prince Mbongiseni Muntukaphiwana Zulu, that God envelops them with his cloth of warmth and healing as they undergo the process of dealing with this tragedy.
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Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on behalf of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube