Zulu Royal Succession Battle Continues in the North Gauteng High Court

In a tense courtroom filled with heavily guarded uniformed and plainclothed law enforcement personnel, the North Gauteng High Court sees the ongoing escalation of the Zulu royal succession battle. The South African government and King Misuzulu face legal challenges brought forth by various members of the Zulu royal family, instigated by Prince Simakade Zulu.

Prince Simakade, the oldest son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, who passed away in February 2021, has called to nullify the process leading to his half-brother, King Misuzulu's coronation. He alleges impropriety in identifying the rightful heir, particularly targeting the move made by President Cyril Ramaphosa in announcing Misuzulu as king.

The layered and complex case demands an intricate understanding of Zulu Law and custom, as legal representatives argue over whether the royal family meeting that nominated King Misuzulu was legitimate and correctly constituted. The dispute further extends to whether or not President Ramaphosa made a mistake by awarding Prince Misuzulu a certificate conferring his status as a Zulu monarch, ultimately leading to his coronation on 29th October 2022.

The late King Zwelithini's will set the stage for the current skirmish. His will dictated that his wife, Swazi Princess, Queen Mantfombi, would choose his successor. However, Queen Mantfombi passed away hardly two months after her husband. In her will, she nominated her first-born son Misuzulu as the rightful heir to the throne. This choice sparked controversy within the Zulu royal family, leading to the ongoing court case.

If Prince Simakade prevails in court, this could dethrone King Misuzulu and plunge the process of nominating and crowning a king into chaos. With an appeal expected from whoever loses the case, the matter may reach the Constitutional Court.

The ongoing discord disrupts the stability of the largest ethnic group in South Africa, the AmaZulu, and by extension, stability in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), a region home to South Africa's largest seaport and millions of Zulu-speaking people.