By Celani Sikhakhane
- MK leaders including Jacob Zuma and John Hlophe attended a ceremony honouring Prince Simakade and royal family members opposed to King Misuzulu.
- The party has become a political home for Simakade’s faction, which accuses Misuzulu of being controlled by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The MK Party has chosen Prince Simakade’s side in his fight to remove King Misuzulu from the throne.
Their support was shown at a ceremony at the Durban ICC on 11 September, just days before King Misuzulu hosted the annual Reed Dance at the new eMashobeni Royal Palace in oPhongolo.
The event was attended by senior MKP leaders including party president Jacob Zuma, deputy president John Hlophe, and KZN convener Willies Mchunu.
Members of the Zulu royal family aligned to Prince Simakade, such as Queen Nompumelelo kaMchiza and Princess Babhekile Zulu-Thabethe, were also present.
Queen kaMchiza, who has boycotted royal events since Misuzulu’s rise to the throne, lit six candles in honour of King Zwelithini’s wives.
In his keynote address, Zuma praised the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu as a unifier during his reign.
The MKP has been increasingly dominated by Simakade’s supporters, including Amajuba leader Mqondisi Dladla and Princess Londiwe Ngcamu. The faction sees MKP as a platform to challenge Misuzulu, whom they accuse of being President Cyril Ramaphosa’s puppet.
The royal dispute is also before the courts, with Simakade’s backers pinning their hopes on Zuma’s political influence to strengthen their case.
Pictured above: Jacob Zuma with King Miuzulu.
Image source: King Misuzulu X
