By Celani Sikhakhane
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria granted President Cyril Ramaphosa permission to appeal Judge Norman Davis’s ruling regarding King Misuzulu’s recognition.
This ruling had previously rejected the State’s recognition of Misuzulu KaZwelithini as the king of the Zulu nation.
On Thursday afternoon Judge Davis said in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that Ramaphosa and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thembi Nkadimeng are allowed to appeal the judgement at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.
“Leave to appeal and leave to cross-appeal as applied by the respective parties against the orders of this court of 11 December 2023 are granted to the Supreme Court of Appeal,” said Judge Davis.
He emphasised that when he set aside the recognition of King Misuzulu KaZwelithini under the Traditional Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019, he was not rejecting his identification by the family because the matter has already been dealt with by Judge Isaac Madondo of the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Davis reminded Ramaphosa that he should appoint a committee that would investigate whether the state recognition of King Misuzulu KaZwelithini was in line with customary law.
The matter was filed by Prince Simakade KaZwelithini and Prince Mbonisi kaBhekuzulu of eKhwezi who believed that King Misuzulu was not the rightful heir to the throne.
King Misuzulu welcomed the ruling and commended Ramaphosa’s commitment to the pursuit of justice and the rule of law on this matter.
King Misuzulu KaZwelithini’s spokesperson, Prince Afrika Zulu of the Onkweni royal house, said the Zulu nation is fully behind this process.
“His Majesty extends his best wishes to President Ramaphosa, the legal team and all involved in the pursuit of justice,” said Prince Afrika.
Pictured above: King Misuzulu’s recognition is heading to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.
Image source: X
