Celani Sikhakhane
King Misuzulu KaZwelithini suspects there is a “third force” besides royal rebels who is trying to dethrone him.
King Misuzulu was speaking at the KwaKhangelamankengana Royal Palace in Nongoma on Saturday, where thousands of Zulu members of the public attended the sacred kraal ritual.
The traditional ritual takes place to officially connect the ascending monarch to their ancestors.
But the king was preoccupied with those within his family who are disputing his claim to the throne.
“We all know that these people are being used by someone to divide the Zulu royal family and the nation,” he said.
“There’s a third force in all of this but it is not something new. Even in the history of the Zulu
Nation we had traitors who were used to divide the nation.”
The king made no further indication of who the mystery “third force” is.
The ceremony was one of the biggest in the history of the South African royals and the Zulu nation since the coronation of the late King Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu in 1971.
King Misuzulu KaZwelithini’s traditional coronation came a week after his eldest half-brother, Prince Simakade, entered the eNyokeni Royal Palace kraal where he declared himself the Zulu king.
Just afterwards, another of King Zwelithini’s sons, Prince Buzabazi, was declared as next in line to the Zulu throne by his uncle Prince Mbonisi.
Prince Mbonisi has tried several times to challenge King Misuzulu’s claim in court. His challenges range from attempting to block him from addressing the Isandlwana commemoration, to preventing him from being crowned and nullifying President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of his ascension to the throne.
Each of those court challenges failed.
King Misuzulu told the crowd that he is willing to unite with his detractors and bring back all those who have turned against him.
He also thanked Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for being a pillar of strength and fighting without fail for the Zulu monarch.
Buthelezi was among the attendees but he did not go to the sacred kraal because of his old age and frailty.
The king promised to lead the Zulu with integrity.
Image source: @PresidencyZA
