By Celani Sikhakhane
- Prince Thulani Zulu says King Misuzulu was never installed by any court but by Southern African monarchs.
- The Supreme Court will hear the royal family’s throne dispute on 28 and 29 May in Bloemfontein.
Prince Thulani Zulu says no court on earth can dethrone King Misuzulu kaZwelithini because the courts didn’t put him on the throne in the first place.
Speaking during a visit by the Buthelezi clan to King Misuzulu, Prince Thulani said the king was recognised and blessed by monarchs from across the Southern African Development Community.
Prince Thulani, the Senior Zulu Prince of eZibindini and former spokesperson for the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, said: “We heard people talking about the case, but we all know the truth that King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was never installed by the courts. He was never taken to the kraal for the sacred rituals by any court of the land.”
“Instead, all kings across the Southern African Developing Countries put him in the kraal. I can attest to that because most of them were sleeping at my B&B in Babanango,” he said.
He added that in Zulu tradition, a king is not chosen by friends or the court — he is born to rule.
The visit came after King Misuzulu appointed Prince Ntuthukoyezwe Zuzifa Buthelezi of KwaPhindangene as the chairperson of the monarch’s council.
Prince Thulani has supported King Misuzulu since his name was read from the will of his late mother, Queen Regent Mantfombi MaDlamini kaSobhuza, in May 2021.
That caused deep divisions in the royal family. Prince Simakade kaZwelithini claims he is the rightful heir through traditional adoption.
Meanwhile, King Misuzulu’s office told Scrolla.Africa that the Supreme Court case is not between the king and Prince Simakade, but between Prince Simakade and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The case, due to be heard on 28 and 29 May, follows a ruling by the North Gauteng High Court. The court found in favour of Prince Simakade and said President Ramaphosa misread the Traditional Leadership Act when he officially recognised King Misuzulu.
The court also said the Zulu royal family must start the process of nominating a new king from scratch.
Pictured above: King Misuzulu kaZwelithini with Prince Zuzifa Ntuthukoyezwe of KwaPhindangene during his recent visit, where the court case was dismissed as a smear campaign.
Image source: Zulu Monarch
