Parliament, Tuesday, 14 January 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development has, at its meeting this morning, resolved to request a meeting with King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini following his suspension of the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB). The committee has also resolved to conduct an oversight visit to the ITB to meet with all the relevant stakeholders to understand the challenges confronting the public entity.
The committee held an urgent meeting with the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr Mzwanele Nyhontso, for a briefing on the latest developments regarding the governance of the Ingonyama Trust following the recent media reports about the suspension of the Board. The committee appealed to the minister, as the executive authority for the public entity, to resolve the ITB's governance challenges within the confines of the law whilst recognising that the Board acts on behalf of the Trustee. A breakdown of trust and relations should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
The committee recognises the vital role that the ITB plays in managing the Ingonyama Trust land for the material benefit and well-being of the deserving communities. The suspension of the Board in its entirety can negatively affect the Ingonyama Trust's business. It may exacerbate the operational and governance challenges faced by Ingonyama Trust and its subsidiary companies, such as Ingonyama Holdings.
Sections 42(3) and 55(2) of the Constitution sets a framework for Members of Parliament as public representatives to scrutinise and oversee executive action. Parliament and the National Assembly, in particular, are obligated to ensure that all executive organs of state in the national sphere of government are accountable to it and to maintain oversight of the national executive authority, including the implementation of legislation.
Against this backdrop, the committee seeks to engage with the King and the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the current situation does not negatively affect the administration of the Trust and promote stability within the Board. The committee considers the matters of the Ingonyama Trust among its priority issues. It will meet the King as a matter of urgency to discuss matters about the Ingonyama Trust Board. The relationship of the Board and the King as the sole Trustee is vitally important for good corporate governance of the entity.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MR ALBERT MNCWANGO
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malentsoe Magwagwa (Ms)
Cell: 081 716 5824
Email: mmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za
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