Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini says resolving the royal family’s disputes in courts tarnishes the throne’s image.
The king was speaking during the opening of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial house of traditional and Khoi-San leaders, held at the old legislature building in Ulundi on Tuesday.
The event was attended by KZN premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta), Bongi Sithole-Moloi, traditional leaders and other officials.
The annual event was held for the first time since the passing of late king Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who died in March 2021.
A spate of legal disputes followed his passing as some members of the royal family challenged successor Misuzulu.
After long legal disputes, the king was eventually crowned in October 2022.
Addressing the house, Misuzulu said the passing of his father made some family members take decisions going against tradition.
“The ongoing court battles among the royal family tarnished the image of the throne and the tradition.
“I am speaking on this as an accused/respondent and the one with the responsibility to protect my father’s wish.
“There have to be new ways to move forward and continue the work of the nation besides courts. These court cases are very embarrassing and damage the late king’s and the image of the nation,” he said.
He said his everyday prayer was that the royal family could someday be wise enough to see the damage the legal disputes have caused.
Misuzulu said the damage brought tears.
The ongoing court battles among the royal family tarnished the image of the throne and the tradition.
— Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini
His statements come as the faction backing Prince Simakade kaZwelithini believes it has a strong case to dethrone him as the head of the Zulu nation.
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.
Misuzulu said it was important to note that in the history of the nation, the courts have never been responsible for determining the rightful heir to the throne.
“As royal households, it is uncalled for that we let the court and government be the ones to have a final word about issues of the royal family. We [royal households] must be the ones to have the final say.”
He said also damaging, since his father’s passing, was the failure to have proper communication between the government and traditional leaders.
The king condemned the killing of traditional leaders in the province.
Last month, two traditional leaders were shot and killed in two different incidents in the province, while another traditional leader survived an assassination attempt.
In addressing the thorny issue, the king said he had written to KZN community safety and liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka for a progress report on the investigations into the cases.
“I am doing this because there are allegations that the government and police do not prioritise the killings of traditional leaders.
“However, when celebrities are being killed, they make sure that they avail all resources to solve the matter. I’m not attacking the government, but it’s a fact. I am working hard on this matter.
“I also wrote to the premier to hear where they stood on this, and they are committed to working with me. I also wrote to Sithole-Moloi to also give me detailed reports about traditional leadership plans,” said Misuzulu.
Misuzulu added he was willing to work with the government to roll out plans for the protection of traditional leaders.
Dube-Ncube said the provincial government acknowledged traditional leaders’ outcry regarding their safety.
“We will do everything in our power to fight the killings and attacks. We are trying to make sure we do what the king has requested. Summit plans are going as planned, and we are liaising with the king’s office to make sure we sit down and discuss this thorny issue,” said Dube-Ncube.
She said they were committed to working with the house of traditional leadership and being available to ensure all issues are resolved and traditional leaders are safe.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.