Latest news with #TraditionalandKhoi-SanLeadershipActof2019
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Tensions rise in Zulu royal family as Supreme Court appeal looms
King Misuzulu is accused of undermining the country's judicial system following a statement where he said he would remain a king irrespective of the Supreme Court of Appeal's outcome. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The assertion by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini that the outcome of his kingship case in the Supreme Court of Appeal will be meaningless since it will not change anything concerning his throne has angered the applicant, his half-brother, Prince Simakade Zulu. In a statement issued by Prince Thulani Zulu on behalf of the king and the royal family, he stated that irrespective of what the conclusion of the Supreme Court of Appeal will be, King Misuzulu will remain in his position as he was installed by the Zulu people, not by the courts. He added that this has been the practice in the Zulu Kingdom for centuries, long before colonialism or any political governments arrived in the land. Prince Thulani said King Misuzulu was officially installed in a ceremony known as Ungena Esibayeni ( kraal entering), which took place in 2022. 'In Zulu Customary Law, Ingonyama (the King) was installed by the people of the nation 'On 8 May 2022, Kings and leaders from all over Africa came to KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in KwaNongoma to witness the traditional crowning of His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. 'The Zulu Kingdom also showed up in the thousands to witness the ascension of our new King. By the end of the ceremony, King Misuzulu's installation process was complete, and he became the new King of the Zulu Nation,' the statement read. Prince Thulani further explained that the coronation of the king, which followed after, was a formality and recognition by the government, not installation as many wanted to believe. 'On 29 October 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially handed over the certificate of recognition to His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This was the formal acknowledgment of His Majesty as King of the AmaZulu nation, in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019. 'It's important to understand that the certificate handover does not affect the Ukungena Esibayeni ceremony, which is the traditional and only recognised method of installing a King in Zulu culture. 'The certificate represented recognition by the state — an administrative formality acknowledging that the Zulu nation had already installed its king. By accepting the certificate, we respected the democratic order that recognises, upholds, and respects traditional leadership. 'The upcoming case is not about the throne, nor is it a challenge to His Majesty's authority. It concerns whether the president followed proper consultative procedures before issuing the certificate of recognition, therefore, there is no cause for alarm or speculation as the throne is not under threat,' concludes the king's statement. Prince Simakade's side spokesperson, Prince Mxolisi kaBhekuzulu, rejected Prince Thulani's statement, calling it a call to anarchy. On Thursday and Friday, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear an appeal by Ramaphosa following the Pretoria High Court's decision in 2023 setting aside the king's recognition by the president. Prince Mxolisi said a proper reading of the statement by Prince Thulani does amount to a veiled incitement and attack on the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution. 'The statement seeks to suggest that he and those he purports to represent have their own set of rules, outside of the established rule of law convention, that binds all, and to which we are all subject, irrespective of one's position and status in society. Surely, this is not the position of the royal family,' said Prince Mxolisi. He also disputed that Prince Thulani was speaking on behalf of the royal family, saying as far the side knows, he is not a royal spokesperson. [email protected]
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘The throne is not under threat': Zulu royal faction defends King Misuzulu as court battle looms
The Zulu royal family will return to court this week over a dispute concerning the state's recognition of King Misuzulu. A faction of the Zulu royal family backing King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's ascension to the throne says it is not fazed by the upcoming court challenge to the state's recognition of the monarch. President Cyril Ramaphosa's lawyers have approached the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein in an attempt to overturn a ruling made by the Pretoria High Court. In 2023, the court set aside the president's decision to recognise King Misuzulu as a legally recognised king of the Zulu nation. The court further ordered the president to institute a committee to investigate allegations of violation of customary laws in the identification of King Misuzulu. In a statement on Sunday, King Misuzulu's faction said the court hearing would have no impact on the throne, as he was installed in line with proper Zulu customs. 'There is no cause for alarm or speculation. The throne is not under threat. The king remains the rightful custodian of the Zulu nation, duly installed by both tradition and law. 'Even if the president were not to succeed in the matter before the court on the 29th in Bloemfontein, it would not advance anyone else's claim to the throne. As a matter of fact, no one has directly challenged the incumbent after the decision had been taken in Pietermaritzburg,' said family spokesperson, Thulani Zulu. Certificate of recognition controversy On 29 October 2022, Ramaphosa officially presented King Misuzulu with a certificate of recognition at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This was King Misuzulu's first official recognition as the king of the Zulu people in accordance with section 8(1) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019. 'It's important to understand that the certificate handover does not affect the Ukungena Esibayeni ceremony, which is the traditional and only recognised method of installing a king in Zulu culture. 'The certificate represented recognition by the state — an administrative formality acknowledging that the Zulu nation had already installed its king. 'By accepting the certificate, we respected the democratic order that recognises, upholds and respects traditional leadership,' said Zulu. Another court battle for the Zulu king He said Misuzulu had successfully won most court battles concerning the throne. 'All court cases surrounding King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and the Zulu throne have been finalised, with His Majesty prevailing in every matter. 'The upcoming case is not about the throne, nor is it a challenge to His Majesty's authority. It concerns whether the President followed proper consultative procedures before issuing the certificate of recognition,' he said. The court case is set to take place over two days, from Tuesday, 28 May, to Wednesday, 29 May. ALSO READ: Five people killed in horror accident, north of Durban in KZN What does Prince Simakade's faction want? Meanwhile, the faction supporting Prince Simakade kaZwelithini remains hopeful that the state will dethrone King Misuzulu and allow for a fresh customary process to determine what they consider to be the rightful heir to the throne. They maintain that Prince Simakade, as the eldest son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, is the rightful heir to the throne. However, their interpretation of Zulu customs has been challenged by the faction supporting King Misuzulu's claim to the throne. This faction believes that King Misuzulu is the son of a great queen, and it was inevitable that he would ultimately lead the Zulu nation. NOW READ: Will Trump go after Malema and Zuma? IRR says 'Kill the Boer' chant created problems for SA
