The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government plans to set aside R20m from its budget to fund King Misuzulu’s legal battle for the throne.
The premier’s office, which is responsible for disbursing funds for the king’s financial and administrative support, made a request for additional millions to be allocated to it by the provincial treasury during its mid-term budget presentation.
The office of the premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said in its submission to the provincial treasury it projects overspending by R59.4m in the financial year due to end in March 2024.
“The department has also projected R20m regarding legal fees for court cases related to his majesty the king. The department has requested additional funding for transfer to the Zulu Royal House Trust to cater for this, and it is hoped this will be allocated in the adjustments estimate,” the premier’s office said.
For some time the DA has been pushing commercialisation as a strategy on the agricultural land of his majesty, which would generate revenue, and further exploring the tourism opportunities around the history of the Zulu monarch and the Zulu nation
— DA KZN spokesperson on finance Francois Rodgers
This will be in addition to the financial year’s budget allocation for the royal household unit, responsible for the king’s upkeep and programmes, which stands at R79m, a R12m increase from last year’s R67m allocations.
DA KZN spokesperson on finance Francois Rodgers did not condemn the move but said the DA has always maintained his majesty and the royal household should be financially independent.
“For some time the DA has been pushing commercialisation as a strategy on the agricultural land of his majesty, which would generate revenue, and further exploring the tourism opportunities around the history of the Zulu monarch and the Zulu nation.
“If this had been adhered to, we wouldn't have to fund this out of the coffers. We will be meeting with his majesty and will again outline our plan for his independence and financial sustainability in KZN,” he said.
The R20m request comes barely a month after the king’s uncles, opposed to his ascendancy to the throne, filed yet another court bid. They had attempted to strip him of his power to access privileges connected to the throne.
In papers filed at the Pietermaritzburg high court in which the premier is also a respondent, the king’s uncle, Prince Mbonisi, sought to interdict the monarch from accessing the budget allocated by the premier.
Prince Mbonisi said it was “irresponsible, irrational and an unreasonable exercise of public powers” for government departments to “ignore” the existence of the court case and recognise Misuzulu.
This is in relation to President Cyril Ramaphosa officially recognising Misuzulu KaZwelithini as the Zulu king last year. The king has since received all the privileges that come with the position, despite the court challenge by royal family members.
The matter is in litigation at the Pretoria high court.
Prince Mbonisi further argued that the king's appointment by the government had “bolstered” the king into “acting with bravado” by recognising him prematurely.
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