Mbalekelwa Mngomezulu was the induna (headman) of the Lindizwe Area, Ingwavuma District, Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal]. It was alleged that he was involved in the fraudulent appointment of Ntunja Mngomezulu, Chief of the Mngomezulu community in the Ingwavuma District.
After this, unrest followed and an inquiry found that Ntunja Mngomezulu was not the rightful heir. Ntunja fled to Swaziland and continued to terrorize the community from his base in Swaziland. There was an attack on the incumbent Chief, which left him paralysed for life.
No one was willing to testify for fear of their lives, which made legal action difficult. Additionally, an administrative breakdown occurred because no one was also willing to be Acting Chief.
It was claimed that Mbalekelwa Mngomezulu was the connection between Ntunja Mngomezulu and his other followers, that he attended three meetings in Swaziland, that he collected money for the legal costs of four people charged with an attack on the Acting Chief and of being a co-signatory of a petition to the head of the KwaZulu executive council in which “half truths” were used to petition for Ntunja Mngomezulu’s reinstatement.
He was banished to Corridor Block, Port Shepstone District, Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal]on 19 August 1974.
Mbalekelwa Mngomezulu was believed to have escaped to Swaziland.
• Contribution by Professor S. Badat, Rhodes University, 2012. From the book, Forgotten People - Political Banishment under Apartheid by Professor S. Badat