The legal battle for the Zulu throne was postponed yesterday at the Pretoria High Court. This, after the Zulu Traditional Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi failed to file an affidavit to validate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the legitimate Zulu King.

FACTION ARGUMENTS

Prince Simakade and Prince Mbonisi Zulu filed court papers at the Pretoria High Court to challenge the ruling that was made by Ramaphosa to appoint Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the heir to the Zulu throne. Simakade is the eldest son of the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu while Mbonisi was one of the spokespersons of the Zulu Royal family. The faction that recognises Simakade as the ‘rightful heir’ said that President Ramaphosa had ignored the report headed by former KwaZulu-Natal premier Willies Mchunu, which recommended a further investigation into the matter. The faction also argues that when the late King’s will was read in May 2021, it was not properly constituted since the people who attended were not bona fide Zulu royal family members. They also argue that Prince Simakade was traditionally adopted by the late queen Mantfombi who is Misuzulu’s biological mother. They say this, makes him the late Queen’s son culturally therefore he is the rightful heir to the throne as he is older than the current King.

NOT CLEAR WHY BUTHELEZI HAS NOT FILED AFFIDAVIT

Zulu Traditional Prime Minister Prince Buthelezi said last week that he was going to submit his affidavit after he held the amakhosi imbizo last week Friday in Empangeni in KwaZulu Natal. It is not clear why the embattled Zulu Prime Minister has failed to file and there has not been a statement from his side on what is causing the delay. It’s alleged that Buthelezi who is said to have had a fallout with Misuzulu over the newly appointed Ingonyama trust board, is demanding that the King reverses his decision to appoint Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela as the chairperson of the Trust. Buthelezi had also revealed that it was hard to serve under Misuzulu because he was no longer willing to take his instruction as he did with his Zwelithini and his late grandfather Bhekuzulu, whom he advised throughout their reigns. Simakade and Mbonisi are at loggerheads with Misuzulu because Ramaphosa announced that he recognises the current Zulu King. The case is expected to be heard from the 16th to the 18th of October, later this year.