Inkatha Freedom Party founder and Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, passed away at his home in early hours of Saturday morning.

He was 95-years-old.

In a statement, Hlabisa said the party is devastated by this unspeakable loss.

Condolences for the Buthelezi family continued to pour in from across the political spectrum on Saturday. 

DA leader John Steenhuisen said Buthelezi consistently demonstrated the courage of his convictions, never hesitated to speak truth to power, and was a role model for them all.

"It is heartwarming to us at the Democratic Alliance that he lived to witness and bless the close relationship between our two parties, which has led to a constructive working relationship in KwaZulu-Natal and which culminated in the historic formation last month of the Multi-Party Charter with a shared vision of a new government to build a just, inclusive and prosperous South Africa based on opportunity, freedom and security for all of its citizens.

“Even as we mourn his loss, we must also celebrate a life well lived in service of his Zulu Nation and our beloved South Africa.

"Let us honour this great man in the very best way we can, and in the way he would have wanted us to, by uniting to build the peaceful, prosperous country he dreamed of.”