Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, 94, reportedly in ICU

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister to the Zulu nation, was reportedly admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Kwazulu-Natal on Tuesday.

Prince Buthelezi in ICU

Scrolla Africa reports that, according to sources close to the family and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Prince Buthelezi has lost the ability to speak.

Speaking to The Citizen on Wednesday, Buthelezi’s spokesperson Liezl van der Merwe said the 94-year-old IFP founder was readmitted to hospital on Tuesday.

“As previously indicated, Prince Buthelezi underwent a procedure for back pain management, following which he was discharged from hospital. However, when his back pain did not subside sufficiently, he was readmitted for further treatment and recovery.

“He has since developed a complication and therefore remains in hospital at this stage to receive the necessary care. The duration of his hospital stay will depend on how fast his body can recover from the complication,” van der Merwe said.

She did not confirm or deny the rumours on Buthelezi being in ICU.

This is a developing story, more to follow as updates become available.

The 94-year-old prince was initially hospitalised for backpain Monday, 24 July for treatment and recovery.

Routine tests and recovery

Following his hospitalisation on Monday, his spokesperson, Liezl van der Merwe said he was not in a critical condition, he was merely admitted for routine tests.

Van der Merwe said: “He underwent a small procedure for back pain management.

“Although he was discharged, he unfortunately needed to be readmitted for further treatment”.

Buthelezi, who was born in 1928, will turn 95 on 27 August.

He beat Covid-19 in August 2020, and again in December 2021.

He was also hospitalised with hypertension in January 2022

READ: Well wishes for Buthelezi: ‘He remains a poignant figure’