The Zulu royal family faction backing Prince Simakade kaZwelithini believes it has a strong case regarding dethroning King Misuzulu KaZwelithini as the head of the Zulu nation.
Spokespersons for the faction were speaking at a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday.
Led by Prince Thokozani Zulu, they said that in the interests of transparency they wanted to update the nation about the ongoing legal battle launched in September last year.
In a North Gauteng High Court application to review and overrule three decisions that led to Misuzulu’s ascendance, Simakade, King Goodwill Zwelithini's eldest son, wants the court to set aside:
- a meeting at which Misuzulu was nominated heir to the Zulu throne;
- President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to recognise Misuzulu as king; and
- the traditional coronation of Misuzulu in October last year.
The matter is set down in the high court in Pretoria for May 31 to June 2.
Prince Thokozani said all internal remedies had been exhausted, forcing the faction to seek legal relief. He said there were a number of things done incorrectly after the king's death.
He said chief among those was the meeting held on May 14, at Kwakhangelamankengane royal palace, which was called by Zulu prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi where Misuzulu was named successor.
Prince Thokozani said only the royal family was permitted to call such a meeting.
“Only the family should meet, and that meeting had other people who are not family members. The decision was taken in a meeting that you can describe as a community gathering.
“The president also did not follow the right procedure in recognising Prince Misuzulu as king. There was also interference by Prince Mangosuthu after the king’s passing and we did write to the president to alert him about this, and the provincial leadership.
“The president ignored the finding by the report of the government-appointed panel which recommended that the president investigate the matter and not release the certificate. Our lawyers have written to the president seeking reasons [for] the release [of] the certificate, but there has been no response,” he said.
Prince Thokozani said the October coronation, which was held in Durban, means nothing to them: “We respect the laws, and that's why we go to court. But if there is something we are not pleased about, we have to challenge that. The coronation does not mean anything. We're just getting started.”
Misuzulu was named the new king in his mother's will after she died in April 2021, after Queen Mantfombi Dlamini was named regent in the will made by the king, who died a month before her.
Though the pronouncement was welcomed by many in the royal family, it was disputed, with court cases brought by some members. Some of the challenges are yet to be settled.
Meanwhile, the royal family did not deny media reports that they are open to donations to help fund the battle.
Prince Mandlakapheli Zulu said it is not Prince Simakade who is seeking funding but the royal family members who have nominated him.
He said as the matter is before the court, the cost is close to R2m.
“We are not closing the door to the whole nation and those who may want to help the family in the throne war. With this battle, it's not that we are aiming to get something but aim to protect King Zwelithini’s legacy. We cannot sit and watch while his legacy is being damaged,” said Prince Mandlakapheli.
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