A court in South Africa has declared that the government’s acknowledgment of the Zulu nation’s king in the previous year was illegal, potentially sparking a fresh dispute over succession.
The high court in Pretoria has directed President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish an investigation into the controversial ascension of King Misuzulu Zulu, in order to determine if it was in accordance with traditional customs.
In 2021, following the passing of his father, Misuzulu was chosen to be the monarch for over 10 million Zulu people residing in South Africa. However, due to disputes over the succession, his traditional coronation was delayed until August 2022, a wait of 15 months. Misuzulu’s father, Goodwill Zwelithini, ruled for more than 50 years before his death in March 2021.
Prince Simakade, the older brother of Misuzulu, requested the ruling which stated that the Zulu king’s presidential recognition was “unlawful and invalid” and the decision to recognize him is now nullified.
In October 2022, at a grand celebration, Ramaphosa presented Misuzulu with a large framed certificate, officially recognizing him as the leader of the wealthiest and most powerful traditional monarchy in the country.
King Zwelithini had a total of six wives and a minimum of 28 children. Among them, Misuzulu is the eldest son of his third wife, who was appointed as regent in his last testament. However, the queen passed away unexpectedly a month after her husband, and in her will, she declared Misuzulu as the new king.
The initial wife of Zwelithini asserted herself as the sole lawful partner, yet her attempt to obtain a legal injunction to prevent the crowning of the man whose name signifies “to empower the Zulu people” was unsuccessful.
Prior to Ramaphosa’s official ceremony, the eldest son of Zwelithini, who was born outside of marriage, filed an urgent legal case asserting his rightful claim to the throne. Other brothers of Zwelithini also put forth their claims for a different contender.
The constitution of South Africa acknowledges traditional rulers and chiefs, granting them considerable moral influence.
Source: theguardian.com
