Durban – The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) says it was disappointed by the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) after a huge group of “Amabutho” entered the venue and disrupted the Ingonyama Trust Board Investor Summit.
The shirtless individuals purporting to be Amabutho, some with sticks, knobkerries and traditional shields, barged into the venue and began singing and chanting.
Commenting on the commotion, CONTRALESA in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, 5 October 2026, said, ”It has noted with grave concern and disappointment the unfortunate events that transpired at the Ingonyama Trust Board Investor Summit held at the Durban ICC”.
CONTRALESA added: “We are also deeply disappointed by the Durban ICC, an institution that hosts events of Presidents and international dignitaries, for compromising security by allowing individuals to enter without proper searching.
“We are equally concerned about the Police, who were forewarned about these individuals who had been boasting on social media about what they intended to do at the summit.”
CONTRALESA said it wished to place on record that AmaKhosi have a legitimate and inherent right to attend programmes of the Ingonyama Trust Board, by virtue of being the custodians of culture, land and people.
“We strongly condemn the conduct of those individuals purporting to be Amabutho who chose to disrespect AmaKhosi,” stated Inkosi V.T. Ngcobo, CONTRALESA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson,
“Their behaviour was severely out of line, unbecoming, and has no place in our culture.”
The Ingonyama Trust itself was established on the strength of land belonging to various tribes.
“Therefore, the narrative peddled by some that AmaKhosi cannot attend Trust events without the permission of His Majesty the King is not only misleading, but also dangerous and divisive,” said Inkosi Ngcobo.
“Furthermore, we reject with contempt the malicious insinuation that AmaKhosi who attended the summit are not in support of Isilo. Such statements are false and intended to mislead the nation.”
Inkosi Ngcobo added: “While our Province is not an absolute monarchy, the institution of Ubukhosi remains central to our Province, and His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is the sole Trustee of the Ingonyama Trust, as was the case with the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
“We appeal to the advisors of His Majesty to desist from encouraging individuals to disrespect AmaKhosi under the guise of protecting Isilo.”
Inkosi Ngcobo warned that the conduct of the individuals purporting to be Amabutho was extremely dangerous and has the potential to divide the Zulu nation that was united by King Shaka kaSenzangakhona.
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for His Majesty King Misuzulu, as CONTRALESA has done consistently, long before others waited for Government pronouncements,” Inkosi Ngcobo said.
“We are also deeply disappointed by the Durban ICC, an institution that hosts events of Presidents and international dignitaries, for compromising security by allowing individuals to enter without proper searching.
“We are equally concerned about the Police, who were forewarned about these individuals who had been boasting on social media about what they intended to do at the summit.
“We dismiss as lies the false propaganda that AmaKhosi were selling land and issuing title deeds.”
Inkosi Ngcobo lamented that Traditional Leaders were being killed in KwaZulu-Natal.
“For both the Ingonyama Trust Board and the ICC to have subjected AmaKhosi to such compromised security as witnessed is a matter of serious concern,” said Inkosi Ngcobo.
“We are now gravely worried about attending future events until both institutions can assure us of their security detail and guarantee the safety of AmaKhosi.”
