Ngwenya Assets in ITB Crossfire

By CHRIS MAKHAYE

The late IFP founder and Prime Minister of AmaZulu, Prince MG Buthelezi, seen here with King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and former chairperson of Ingonyama Trust Board Jerome Ngwenya

At least two accounts belonging to Jerome Sipho Ngwenya, with millions of rands, have been frozen as the battle between the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) and its former chairperson intensifies.

The ITB has made it clear that it will immediately move to seize his assets — including a farm outside Newcastle, luxury houses, cars, and other personal possessions — unless Ngwenya petitions the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The dispute centres on the sale of eight pieces of land near Hammarsdale, purchased by the eThekwini Municipality for R30 million in 2018.

This land formed part of the Ingonyama Trust’s vast estate, which covers nearly three million hectares — about a third of KwaZulu‑Natal — held in trust for the Zulu monarch and administered by the ITB.

Court dramas

Court papers list Ngwenya and four other entities and individuals as respondents: Ingonyama Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which he solely controls; Jafta Incorporated, the law firm whose trust account received R25 million; Mason Inc., the conveyancing law firm that initially received the R30 million; and a former ITB secretary accused of assisting in the disbursement of funds.

It is alleged that Ngwenya instructed Mason Inc. to transfer R5 million to Ingonyama Holdings and the remaining R25 million to Jafta Inc., from whose account the money was then disbursed illegally. The Hawks are investigating these transfers, probing whether Ngwenya and his associates acted in concert to defraud the Trust.

In July 2025, the Pietermaritzburg High Court ordered Ngwenya to repay the R30 million. His subsequent appeals collapsed under procedural failures, including late filing of affidavits.

This week, Acting Judge Nomonde Zondi dismissed his application for leave to appeal, ruling that there was “no reasonable prospect of success.”

The ITB welcomed the ruling. Its acting CEO, Blessing Vilakazi, said in a statement: “This judgment vindicates our position and clears the way for us to recover funds that were illegally siphoned from the sale of properties under our administration. The Trust is determined to ensure accountability and protect the land and resources entrusted to it.”

The ITB’s lawyer, Advocate Nkosinathi Bhuka, told The Quest on Friday that he could only confirm that two accounts have been frozen in relation to this matter. I cannot divulge any other information because the litigation is still underway and investigations are ongoing.

But, unless the court order is appealed, we are duty‑bound to proceed with the attachment of assets belonging to the respondents. The ITB will see to it that these funds are recovered in full.”

Neither Ngwenya nor Japhta Inc, the law firm representing him, could be reached for comment at the time of going to press.

Ungraceful exit

Ngwenya’s fall from grace is tied to his long tenure at the ITB. Appointed in 2000 by the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, he was closely aligned with Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Inkatha Freedom Party founder and Zulu traditional prime minister, who helped establish the Trust.

For years Ngwenya was seen as Buthelezi’s trusted ally, consolidating power at the ITB. His tenure came to an abrupt end when Misuzulu did not renew his contract, sparking a tug of war with Buthelezi, a tiff that had not been sorted by the time the Inkatha leader died in on 9 September 2023. TQ

TIMELINE OF THE ITB VS NGWENYA SAGA

2000 – Jerome Ngwenya appointed chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board by King Goodwill Zwelithini.

2018 – eThekwini Municipality buys eight Hammarsdale land parcels for R30 million. Funds allegedly diverted: R5 million to Ingonyama Holdings (Ngwenya’s company) and R25 million to Jafta Inc.

2021–2023 – Fallout with King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. Ngwenya accused of mismanagement, removed from ITB after more than two decades.

2024 – ITB launches civil action against Ngwenya, Ingonyama Holdings, Jafta Inc., Mason Inc., and a former ITB secretary.

July 2025 – Pietermaritzburg High Court orders Ngwenya to repay R30 million.

Late 2025 – Appeals dismissed due to procedural failures.

April 2026 – Acting Judge Nomonde Zondi denies leave to appeal, ruling “no reasonable prospect of success.”

Current (2026) – ITB, led by acting CEO Siyamdumisa Blessing Vilakazi, vows to immediately seize Ngwenya’s assets — including a farm outside Newcastle, luxury houses, cars, and other possessions — unless he petitions the Supreme Court of Appeal. TQ