The ongoing battle over the rightful heir of the Zulu throne continues at the Pretoria Magistrates Court today. Prince Simakade Zulu is challenging the legitimacy of his half-brother King Misuzulu KaZwelithini's position and wants the royal family's meeting where Misuzulu was chosen as the king be declared unlawful. Prince Simakade is the late King Goodwill Zwelithini's son from a girlfriend when he was a teenager while Misuzulu is the first son of the late king and the great wife to the King Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu. The case is being heard barely a month after the death of Zulu prime minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who fought to make sure Misizulu is recognised as the legitimate ruler of the Zulu nation.
BATTLING IT OUT IN COURT
In court, the factions which support Misuzulu and those who support Simakade sat across each other. Simakade wants the court to declare the appointment of Zulu King Misuzulu by President Cyril Ramaphosa unlawful. Simakade is arguing that Ramaphosa had no right to choose who should be king of amaZulu and requested that the court set aside his declaration. First to take the stand was Advocate Thabani Masuku on behalf of Prince Mbonisi Zulu, who is the late King Zwelithini's half-brother. Prince Mbonisi wants Prince Buzabazi to take over the Zulu throne. Prince Buzabazi is the third born son of the late King and Queen Buhle Mathe. It's believed that Buzabazi was close to the late Zwelithini and that he shared many secrets with him. First to take the stand in court was the represantative for Mbonisi, Advocate Thabani Masuku, who told the court that President Ramaphosa ignored some royal family members that he should not recognise Misuzulu as there was an ongoing dispute in the Supreme Court of Appeal over the Zulu throne.
HEIR BY ASSOSIATION
In court papers, Prince Simakade says his late father, the King Zwelithini, wanted him to be the heir to the throne through the Zulu traditional custom process called ukufakwa esiswini, loosely translate "putting a baby in the womb". He claims in his founding affidavit that the custom was performed for him when he was 11 years old and that the Great wife became his mother, making him her first son and automatically the heir to the throne. "Pursuant to ukufakwa esiswini, for all intents and purposes under customary law, the child belongs to the house with which he or she has been affiliated and takes his or her rightful place in order of age with any other children of that house. These children would have the same status, rights and obligations enjoyed by and imposed upon the biological children of the wife with whose house they have been affiliated,' reads the affidavit. Prince Simakade also said that the custom was performed at his biological mother's home, and she was compensated with three cattles. "I developed a maternal relationship with the late queen, she became my mother and her biological children my siblings," the affidavit reads.
Misuzulu succeeded his father King Zwelithini kaBhekiZulu after his death in 2021. He took over the throne after his mother, Queen Mantfombi, who acted as interim leader, died. She is the sister of eSwatini's King Mswati.
AMABUTHO AND CHIEFS CAME IN NUMBERS TO SUPPORT THE KING
Almost three hundreds amabutho and chiefs, who travelled from KZN, gathered outside the court singing in support the king with most streets leading to the court cordoned off in Tshwane. The courtroom was also filled with many members of the royal family, chiefs, princes and princesses who were dressed in Zulu regalia. The King's office sent a letter to the City of Tshwane requesting the use of a hall or park, not further than 3km from the court to accommodate the supporters. The court was adjourned until this morning and the trial is expected to end on Wednesday.
