Faith Nyasuguta
A South African court has declared that the government’s recognition of the king of the Zulu nation in 2022 was unlawful, potentially stirring up a new succession battle.
The high court in Pretoria directed the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, to set up an inquiry to probe whether the tumultuous accession of King Misuzulu Zulu took place as required by the customary laws.
Following the death of his father, Misuzulu, 49, was named in 2021 as monarch for the more than 10 million Zulu people living in South Africa.
He had to wait 15 months until August 2022 for his traditional coronation due to disputes over succession. His father, Goodwill Zwelithini, passed away in March 2021 after a reign lasting over 50 years.
Misuzulu’s older brother, Prince Simakade, sought the ruling, which noted that the presidential recognition of the Zulu king “was unlawful and invalid and the recognition decision is hereby set aside”.
In an October 2022 large party, Ramaphosa gave Misuzulu a giant framed certificate officially recognising him as the ruler of the country’s richest and most influential traditional monarchy.
King Zwelithini had six wives and at least 28 children. Misuzulu is the first son of his third wife, who he appointed as regent in his will. However, the queen passed away unexpectedly a month after her husband, and her will designated Misuzulu as king.
Zwelithini’s first wife claimed to be the only legitimate spouse, but she missed out on getting a court order stopping the coronation of the man whose name means “to strengthen the Zulu people”.
Before Ramaphosa’s state ceremony, Zwelithini’s eldest son, who was born out of wedlock, filed an emergency lawsuit claiming he was the rightful heir. Brothers of Zwelithini also claimed the throne for another contender.
South Africa’s constitution acknowledges traditional rulers and chiefs, granting them substantial moral authority.
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