Cosatu in KwaZulu-Natal has accused Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini of hogging tracts of land through the controversial Ingonyama Trust, saying that it could be developed and used to free the poor from poverty. The union federation is calling for a "frank and constructive engagement" over the composition and role of the Ingonyama Trust and how the land it controls can be utilised to benefit the poor. The Ingonyama Trust was established on the eve of the 1994 political transition as a special vehicle under the Zulu king. The trust owns 29.67% of the land in KwaZulu-Natal, equivalent to 28,000km². Zwelithini has vented his anger at suggestions of a review of the Ingonyama Trust’s status. Last week, he called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to present himself to explain his government’s stance on various issues, including the trust. The call for a review of the Ingonyama Trust first came from a high-level panel led by former president Kgalema Motlanthe, which recommended that Parliament scr...

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