APA-Durban (South Africa) The traditional prime minister to South Africa’s Zulu monarch Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been admitted to hospital although his office denied late Monday that the 94-year-old Inkhatha Freedom Party (IFP) founder is critically ill.
In a statement, Buthelezi’s spokesperson Liezl van der Merwe said Buthelezi, who was recently discharged after undergoing “a small procedure for back pain management”, was readmitted on Monday for routine tests and treatment for prolonged back pain.
“Although he was discharged, he unfortunately needed to be readmitted for further treatment and recovery,” van der Merwe said.
Buthelezi has served three Zulu Kings as traditional prime minister since 1954 and is due to turn 95 next month.
Prince Mangosuthu stepped down as the leader of the IFP in 2019 after being at the helm for 44 years, but he remains an active member of parliament.
JN/APA