King Goodwill Zwelithini may not like it, but first wives have the right to veto a man's decision to take on another spouse. Last week, the monarch, while addressing the House of Traditional Leaders, referred to the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act as a brutal law "designed against our heritage"."In short, this law stipulates that if a man wishes to marry a second or third wife he needs to get written consent from the existing wife. As Zulus, we have never heard of this even in ancient times... If we do not agree we should invite the Constitutional Court to arbitrate for us," he said.Polygamy is a contentious issue in South Africa.KwaZulu-Natal multi-millionaire businessman PG Mavundla, who has three wives, agrees with the law."If you decide to embark on a customary marriage and intend to take another wife, the first wife has to give you a written consent. The same happens when you decide on a third wife, the first and second wife have to consent. A court has to endorse this before you go to Home Affairs," said Mavundla.According to Statistics SA's findings published last week, a total of 158642 civil marriages, 3498 customary marriages and 993 civil unions were registered in 2013.A comparison with the 2012 data shows that registration of civil and customary marriages dropped by 1.5% and 23.2% respectively, but that of civil unions increased by 0.6%.Despite the drop in customary marriages, poly-gamy is popular, says Zulu cultural expert Professor Sihawu Ngubane."It is becoming popular because we have also witnessed it from the religious people like Reverend HQ Nala, who took a second wife from his congregation."Ngubane said consent from first wives was always a requirement for a Zulu man to take on another wife."It was never in writing but it was in practice. In the past, if the wife refused, the whole process would come to a standstill," he said.Lisa Vetten, a research associate at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research, said the idea of consulting existing wives was included in the legislation because one of the concerns was "just how many wives can a husband reasonably support".JOIN THE DEBATE: Share your views @timeslive on Facebook or TwitterHere are some Facebook responses to King’s comments:Madoda Mungwe: I support my Zulu King. His Highness is referring to the Zulus who still follow their culture. There are Zulu women who wilfully abide by the Zulu culture and they love it. It’s not only the Zulus who are following that, do some research before you criticize. If you do not have a culture or you do not respect your culture the shut your mouth and leave those who are proud of their traditional cultures live their lives. Long live the King, you have guts to say it as it is. BAYEDE.Lucky Nxumalo: In a proper relationship, all parties must be consulted before any action is effected . I believe that this law will bring to balance the unfair treatment against women in a polygamy relationship .Mduduzi Nxumalo: I also want 3 wives. Western Culture should not dictate to me how many wives I should have.Ndabezinhle Mpama: Dear Zwelithini.........Why should you be consulted before laws are passed? Remember this is not a Kingdom state.Pule Monnaruri: Of all challenges his Zulu subjects experience daily, he is only thinking of wives? How medieval? Stop financing his wives with our taxes and watch.Buhle Khanyile: "He felt humiliated to notice how little money the government spent on sponsoring Zulu ceremonies compared with those of other cultural groups." Really? Because multimillions are spent maintaining your household, palaces for your many wives with a 'million rand +' luxury limousine for each one besides the ones for you; you are the most expensive king to maintain, in SA. Kanti, what's it with this king? During the KwaZulu homeland days, he was put in his place by the then ruling Inkatha, and was too scared to say anything, and had to meekly submit when the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly made moves to withhold his allowances. They had an iron grip on him, and indeed, he was liberated from that with the achievement of democracy. He is now abusing the very democracy that brought him freedom.Thabang Bonang: Annual R57,6 million of taxpayers money makes it easy to take more wives and just command the government to increase the budget. Eya ne!! Let's take away those benefits and see if He can afford more wives.Buhle Khanyile: The old KwaZulu homeland govt threatened to do just that during the homeland days, and his tail was cut. He's now abusing the freedom democracy has brought him. Couldn't agree with you more, Thabang.Sphelele Mdletshe: Polygamy is part of our cultureSphume Xulu: There should be a plan for a lobola because its costs too much.....there are couples who are not financially fit and it’s very hard to fir them for this lobola thing......otherwise we as blacks are gonna end up taking other race women coz to take an African woman is too much. ..