Zulu regiments storm Durban ICC, threaten security and disrupt Ingonyama Trust indaba
Zulu regiments stormed the Ingonyama Trust indaba at Durban ICC. Ngizwe Mchunu and Phakelumthakathi later apologised to traditional leaders.
DURBAN — Zulu regiments carrying traditional weapons stormed the Durban ICC on Wednesday, threatening security personnel before interrupting the Ingonyama Trust’s investment indaba. [1]
The group entered the auditorium during Sindi Mabaso-Koyana’s speech, chanting and moving towards the stage as proceedings were disrupted. South African Index can confirm that Ngizwe Mchunu and Phakelumthakathi were among those involved. [1]
The confrontation unfolded at the Rural Economy Development and Investment Indaba, a two-day gathering intended to connect traditional leaders and communities with investors and project developers. Most investor delegates had left by the time the group of disruptors disbanded, SAI reports. The investors were not present to hear the subsequent apology. [2][5]
The group remained inside the auditorium for roughly 36 minutes and left after police arrived, according to the eyewitness account. Its leaders later apologised to traditional leaders while complaining that the Ingonyama Trust Board was not listening to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. [1]
Wide view: Zulu regiments disrupt the Ingonyama Trust indaba
An aggressive breach
Footage supplied to SAI shows members confronting security personnel at the entrance and making threatening movements as though to strike them. The group breached the entrance before moving into the building. [3]
Entrance confrontation: security face threatening gestures
Inside, the conference had begun at about 10:10. Mabaso-Koyana was delivering her address when singing in isiZulu became audible from outside the auditorium, according to the eyewitness. [1]
As the chanting grew louder, she asked whether a protest was taking place and tried to continue speaking. Delegates began talking among themselves. [1]
At 11:44, the eyewitness heard a loud bang as the auditorium doors opened. An estimated 150 people entered in single file, carrying traditional weapons. They gathered at the foot of an aisle before moving towards the stage. [1]
Inside the auditorium: the disruption
Intimidation inside the auditorium
Phakelumthakathi went onto the stage and toyi-toyed while Mabaso-Koyana remained seated there. Other members sang and moved around the auditorium, gathering in its right wing before moving to its left side. [1]
According to SAI’s eyewitness, a man wearing a black-and-green shirt and sunglasses took water bottles from delegates and the stage. He also took mints from bowls provided for delegates and threw them into the air. The eyewitness identifies him as the man pictured below and in the supplied footage. [1]
Water bottles taken from the stage
The same man intimidated a cameraman recording the disruption, stepping aggressively towards him, according to the eyewitness. [1]
Cameraman confronted during the disruption
As the commotion continued, investor delegates began leaving. Most had departed by the time the disruptors disbanded, SAI reports. Any effect on investment commitments remains unconfirmed. [5]
Some investor delegates reported being “fed up”, “frustrated” and “disappointed”, SAI reports. Some described the disruption as “intimidation tactics” and characterised the behaviour as “brutish” and “thuggish”. [5]
Some felt the disruptors were “acting without sense, as this was to be a conference of which the outcome was to be a plan to improve their standard of living”, according to reactions reported to SAI. [5]
The group left the auditorium at about 12:20 after police arrived. Approximately two dozen officers attended, and members gathered on the lawn, where singing and dancing continued. [1]
ICC staff sectioned off an area to channel the group’s departure and separate its members from delegates. [1]
Zulu regiments leave the auditorium
Leaders apologise to the amakhosi
At about 12:40, the group’s leaders spoke with the amakhosi, or traditional leaders, about their objections to the gathering. Phakelumthakathi and Ngizwe Mchunu were introduced on stage ahead of their apology. [1]
According to the eyewitness, they complained that the Ingonyama Trust Board was not listening to the King. They also expressed respect for the amakhosi and apologised for causing such a disruption before departing. Phakelumthakathi knelt before the amakhosi after he finished speaking. [1]
The apology followed the confrontation at the entrance and the interruption of proceedings inside the auditorium. The investors were no longer there to hear it, SAI reports. [1][5]
A dispute over royal authority
The disruption followed public disagreement over the board’s authority to convene the indaba without the King’s approval. [4]
On 25 September, The National reported that King Misuzulu threatened to block the gathering. Royal spokesperson Mpikayise Buthelezi said at that point that the King had not formally instructed the amabutho to stop the event. [4]
SAI has not established who authorised Wednesday’s disruption or whether the King issued any subsequent instruction. [1]
The indaba was scheduled to continue on Thursday, 1 October. SAI has not yet confirmed whether the disruption affected the remaining programme. [2][1]
Timeline: how the disruption unfolded
All times are South African Standard Time (SAST) on 30 September 2026. Times, crowd estimates and the sequence inside the auditorium are drawn from the eyewitness account supplied to SAI; approximate and unconfirmed times are labelled. The investors’ departure and absence for the apology are reported by SAI. [1][5]
| Time (SAST) | What happened | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| About 10:10 | The conference begins inside the Durban ICC auditorium. | [1] |
| Before 11:44 — exact time unconfirmed | Members confront security personnel at the entrance, making threatening movements before entering the building. | [3] |
| 11:44 | The auditorium doors open with a loud bang. An estimated 150 people enter in single file, carrying traditional weapons and moving towards the stage. | [1] |
| During the disruption | Phakelumthakathi goes onto the stage. A man in a black-and-green shirt and sunglasses takes water bottles, throws mints into the air and intimidates a cameraman, according to the eyewitness. Some delegates prepare to leave. | [1] |
| About 12:20 | The group leaves the auditorium after police arrive, roughly 36 minutes after entering. Members continue singing and dancing on the lawn; ICC staff channel their departure. | [1] |
| About 12:40 | The group’s leaders speak to the amakhosi. Phakelumthakathi and Ngizwe Mchunu are introduced on stage ahead of their apology. | [1] |
| After the leaders speak — exact time unconfirmed | The leaders apologise for the disruption while raising concerns about the Ingonyama Trust Board not listening to the King. Phakelumthakathi kneels before the amakhosi after finishing his address. The investors are no longer present to hear the apology; most investor delegates have left by the time the disruptors disband, SAI reports. | [1] [5] |
Sources
- South African Index, Eyewitness account and subsequent clarification supplied to the Editorial Desk; identity withheld, 2026-09-30. Account held by the Editorial Desk. Accessed 2026-09-30. ↩
- Ingonyama Trust, Rural Economy Development and Investment Indaba. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-30. ↩
- South African Index YouTube channel, Zulu regiments breach Durban ICC entrance — original source unknown, 2026-09-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-30. ↩
- The National, Zulu King Misuzulu threatens to block Ingonyama Trust Board indaba, 2026-09-25. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-30. ↩
- South African Index, Investor delegate reactions, departure and absence for the apology, reported to the Editorial Desk, 2026-10-01. Account held by the Editorial Desk. Accessed 2026-10-01. ↩