Following the court ruling declaring the recognition of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini by President Cyril Ramaphosa as the AmaZulu King invalid, the royal Zulu Kingdom has not said anything on the matter. This follows an application by Misizulu's half-brother Prince Simakade Zulu challenging Misuzulu's ascension to the throne. Simakade argued in court that Ramaphosa acted hastily in certifying MisiZulu as King before issues with the royal family's nomination processes were concluded.

DECLARING THE RECOGNITION INVALID

On Monday, Judge Norman Davis set aside the president's decision. "It is declared that the recognition by the first respondent of the second respondent as Isilo of the Zulu nation as contained in a Government Gazette no 46057 of 17 March 2022 [the recognition decision] was unlawful and invalid," Judge Davis said. The recognition decision is hereby set aside," said Davis adding that, " The first respondent (Misizulu) is ordered to pay the costs of the applicant (the party of his half-brother Simakade) including the costs of two counsel, where employed. In respect of applications for condonation for late filing of papers or to strike out allegations in affidavits, each party is ordered to pay its costs."

MISUZULU'S RECOGNITION 

King Misuzulu was recognised by Ramaphosa as the King of the nation last year after the death of his father King Goodwill Zwelithini kaZulu and his mother, Queen Regent Mantfombi after a short illness. The court case between King Goodwill Zwelithini's sons resumed at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria just a month after the passing of Prime Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who had backed Misuzulu's appointment as king. Before Shenge passed away, there was a dispute between the King and the Zulu Prime Minister which saw the late Prince not signing an affidavit that forms part of the King's support documentation and evidence. Buthelezi had chaired a 2021 family meeting, where Misuzulu was announced as the successor to his mother, Queen Regent Mantfombi. When contacted for comment on the matter, Misuzulu spokesperson Prince Afrika Zulu ignored our calls and text messages.