Cape Town – Despite the Pietermaritzburg High Court’s approval on Wednesday for Prince Misuzulu to become Zulu monarch, the Zulu royal family has reportedly maintained that customs must be followed.
The family said that core family members and the Zulu Royal Council, must meet to appoint a new king, until which time the throne will remain vacant.
King Goodwill Zwelithini died in March last year at age 72 after 50 years on the throne, leaving behind his six wives and at least 28 children.
In his will, he had named his favourite, third wife Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini, as regent of the more than 11 million Zulus who make up nearly a fifth of South Africa’s population.
But Shiyiwe died suddenly in April – just a month after the king – leaving a will designating their son Misuzulu Zulu, 47, to ascend to the throne.
However, one of the King’s sixth widows Queen Windred Dlamini-Zulu has been contesting Misuzulu’s right to the throne and had launched a legal succession bid arguing that she was the monarch’s only legitimate widow as they had a civil marriage, while he wed his five other wives only according to traditional rites.
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Dlamini-Zulu wanted half of the royal inheritance.
Meanwhile, her two daughters, princesses Ntombizosuthu and Ntandoyenkosi, contested the validity of their father’s will, saying that his signature was forged.
According to News24, two experts testified about the will, but their views were conflicting.
As a result, the court stated that there was currently no dispute about the will and that the judge could not make an order on the matter.
Instead, a 15-day interdict was issued.
On the other hand, Dlamini-Zulu’s application to have half of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s will set aside for herself was dismissed by the court.
ALSO READ: South African judge clears way for Prince Misuzulu to claim Zulu crown
According to Times Live, however, the Zulu royal family said that the cases and judgments handed down on Wednesday had no bearing on the matter of the successor to the Zulu king.
They assured the Zulu nation that the family prioritised its culture, the sacredness of the throne and the stability of the Zulu family and nation.
“As per our custom and tradition, pronouncements of a new king cannot be made without the family performing our sacred rituals, specifically Ukukhuphula Isilo (connecting the king’s spirit), Ukugeza Izigodlo (cleansing of the royal palaces) and especially Ukugeza Isihlalo (cleansing the throne),” the report quoted a statement from the royal family,” the report quoted senior royals as saying.
They said: “We will ensure that in our quest of appointing a new king, we are guided by our Zulu customs, the constitution of SA, the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act and the submissions made by the late king to the Nhlapo commission.”
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
Additional reporting by AFP
