Mzondeki Makhunga, a resident from Ingwavuma District, Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal], was the head induna [chief headman] of Ntunja Mngomezulu in this area.
In 1965, after the death of Chief Zombizwe, Ntunja Mngomezulu was appointed Chief of the Mngomezulu community in the Ingwavuma District, Natal [now KwaZulu-Natal], following which unrest broke out.
An inquiry found that Ntunja was not the rightful heir. Ntunja fled to Swaziland and had since then terrorized the community from his base in Swaziland. There was an attack on the Chief, which left him paralysed for life.
No one was willing to testify for fear of his or her lives, which made legal action difficult. The administration fell apart due to the fact that no one was also willing to be acting Chief.
Mzondeki Makhunga was considered one of the ringleaders of this violence. He was accused of helping Ntunja Mngomezulu in his alleged terrorist activities. He had accompanied Ntunja Mngomezulu to Swaziland but had subsequently returned. Mzondeki Makhunga had refused to accept the acting Chief’s authority, and was a signatory of the 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.
By 1979, Mzondeki Makhunga 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