Latest news with #Simakade
Eyewitness News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Faction of Zulu royal family optimistic SCA will uphold ruling setting aside Ramaphosa's recognition of Misuzulu as king
JOHANNESBURG - A faction of the AmaZulu royal family supporting Prince Simakade says it's optimistic that the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) will uphold a ruling that could set into motion the dethroning of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. Tensions in the royal house reached breaking point after King Misuzulu was crowned as the Zulu monarch following the passing of his father, King Zwelithini and his mother, Queen Regent Mantfombi, in 2021. Prince Simakade, who is King Misuzulu's half-brother, believes he is the rightful heir to the throne, claiming customary protocols were ignored. In December 2023, the High Court in Pretoria set aside President Cyril Ramaphosa's recognition of King Misuzulu as king of the Zulu nation. Less than two weeks ago, the SCA reserved judgment in the appeal over the legitimacy of the kingship. Speaking on the matter on 702's Nguni programme, Siyaxoxa ku-702 , Prince Thokozani Zulu weighed in on what he believes needs to follow. 'We cannot take this matter back to the family for a resolution because there's a court ruling which says the Zulu family would not be able to mediate on the matter without intervention. That way, the President must step in and do what the law requires, by appointing a committee to probe and report back on the allegations that the identification process of Misuzulu was not done in terms of customary laws and customs.' ALSO READ:
Eyewitness News
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
AmaZulu Traditional Prime Minister confident Zulu royal family will soon unite
BLOEMFONTEIN - The Zulu traditional prime ministry is confident the Zulu royal family will soon unite and put their differences aside. This, as members of the royal family, still do not share a common opinion on the kingship. Some want the king's older brother, Prince Simakade, to become king, while some remain adamant that Misuzulu kaZwelithini is the rightful heir. ALSO READ: - Judgment reserved in Ramaphosa's appeal matter on recognising King Misuzulu as Zulu heir - Prince Mbonisi says late King Zwelithini's siblings stripped of right to identify next Zulu king - Zulu regiments call on opposing factions to unite under King Misuzulu to achieve stability Disputes on the succession have once again played out in the courts as the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) heard arguments over two days on the identification of the king. For the past two days, the succession matter of the Zulu family was subject to the court. This time around, arguments focused on whether King Misuzulu was properly recognised by government. In December 2023, the Pretoria High Court invalidated the king's recognition, and this sparked more legal challenges, with the SCA approached to reverse the High Court, while some wanted the ruling to continue. Meanwhile, a cordial mood demeanour was displayed between opposing factions in the royal family. Traditional Prime Minister Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza said this is a good sign. 'There will be peace in the royal family. If you can see here in court, besides the fact that some were sitting on different sides, but when they were singing, they were singing together.' Chiliza said that whatever the outcome will be on the appeal, unity will still prevail.
Eyewitness News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Proceedings get underway as SCA hears appeal on King Misuzulu's recognition as Zulu King
BLOEMFONTEIN - Proceedings are underway in the appeal case where President Cyril Ramaphosa is challenging a High Court ruling that set aside his recognition of Misuzulu as King of the Zulu nation. Ramaphosa recognised Misuzulu in March 2022, in terms of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act. The king's uncle, Prince Mbonisi and his nephew, Prince Simakade approached the High Court in Pretoria to challenge the recognition, and the court ruled in their favour. And as both factions sat in court on Wednesday morning, Prince Thokozani Zulu, who speaks on behalf of Prince Simakade, said, 'We are confident that the five-judge panel sitting for this matter will also rule in our favour as it happened in Pretoria.' Meanwhile, King Misuzulu's spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu, said hopefully the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) would reach a different conclusion. 'We expect that judges to look into the procedure on how the certificate was issued, because today is not about the throne at all - it is about the procedure, because the reason why the President gave the certificate is because on the 20th of August 2022, there was a custom of 'Ukungena Esibayeni' which is the only custom by the people of installing a king.'
