Cape Town — The Zulu Nation is in turmoil following a ruling by the Pretoria High Court that deemed the government’s recognition of the Zulu king as “unlawful”.
The Pretoria High Court ordered President Cyril Ramaphosa to set up an inquiry to probe whether the tumultuous accession of King Misuzulu Zulu was done in line with customary laws.
Following the death of his father, Misuzulu Zulu, 49, was named in 2021 as monarch for the more than 10 million Zulu people living in South Africa. Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March 2021 after a reign of more than 50 years.
The future reign of King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini is in question after the High Court in Pretoria ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of him is invalid and unlawful. Cultural expert Musa Xulu says it will take cooler heads, to resolve the impasse, which threatens the… pic.twitter.com/3033ndBz1e
— eNCA (@eNCA) December 11, 2023
According to The Witness, the high court ruling has been labelled as an insult to the Zulu nation and African culture in general. The judgement ruled that King Mizuzulu’s brother, Prince Simakade Zulu, and his uncle, Prince Mbonis Zulu, wanted a review of Ramaphosa’s decision to recognise Mizuzulu as the heir to the throne.
KwaZulu-Natal political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said the court’s decision remained an embarrassment to the Zulu nation and African culture.
“It should be remembered that the court is part of the western institutions which should not prescribe to Africans on how they should appoint their traditional leader. In terms of the Zulu culture a king is appointed in terms of Zulu traditions.”
The Zulu royal family succession battle continues to be a contentious issue after a ruling by the Pretoria High Court which set aside President Ramaphosa’s recognition of Prince Misuzulu as Isilo. Prof. Musa Xulu says the family needs to rectify this.https://t.co/bwQE4AXaP0 pic.twitter.com/ek3pZrFMtv
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 12, 2023
While there is no expectation of Misuzulu to step down following the court’s judgment, it is likely that more legal battles were likely to erupt, even before the committee which the court ordered should be appointed concluded its investigation.
Chief Sifiso Shinga, the chairperson of the KZN Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, could not immediately say what the implications of the court’s judgment were.
“What will happen is that the KZN Provincial House of Traditional Leaders we will soon meet to discuss the matter. It’s only after that meeting that we will be able to spell the way forward,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
