The premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, has appealed for constructive engagement following the dissolution of the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB).
The move, announced by the minister of land reform and rural development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, follows a governance crisis that has left the entity no longer sustainable.
Following a wave of resignations in which several board members left before the expiry of their terms, the ITB was left with only four serving members, alongside the ingonyama, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, as chairperson.
Ingonyama Trust governance crisis
While administrative regulations allow a quorum of five, Nyhontso concluded that the board’s current state made effective administration impossible.
“The minister has, however, concluded that the present circumstances have created a governance position that is no longer sustainable for the effective administration of the trust,” the department of land reform and rural development said in a statement.
The department explained that Nyhontso’s decision aims to secure continuity in the lawful administration of the trust and the management of trust land for the benefit of the communities for whom such land is held in trust.
Confirming that he was consulted alongside the king before the final determination, Ntuli emphasised the strategic importance of the trust to the province’s seventh administration.
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“The Ingonyama Trust remains central to the socio-economic development of our rural communities. It is intrinsically linked to the seventh administration’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and the building of sustainable livelihoods,” said Ntuli.
Interim administrator to take over
To prevent a vacuum in day-to-day operations, an administrator will be designated in terms of section 49(3) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). This move is specifically directed at maintaining operational continuity and administrative stability while the process to reconstitute the board begins.
Nyhontso reaffirmed his commitment to the legal protections of the country, stating that he is “satisfied that this course of action is necessary to protect the continuity of the lawful administration of the trust and to safeguard the interests of the communities”.
Meanwhile, Ntuli has also called for a period of calm, stressing the need for cooperative governance in matters of land and traditional leadership.
“We remain committed, as government, to supporting initiatives that empower rural communities, improve land administration systems, and accelerate development in areas under the jurisdiction of the Trust,” Ntuli added.
The department is expected to communicate further details regarding the implementation of the transitional arrangement and the formal process to appoint new board members in due course.
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