By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The brothers of the deceased Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini, have distanced themselves from the coronation of the current king MisuZulu kaZwelithini, saying that the royal house wants Prince Buzabazi kaZwelithini to ascend the throne.
Buzabazi Zulu, who is the son of Queen Buhle Mathe and the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, was named by Prince Mathuba Ka Bhekuzulu and some of his brothers in a media briefing on Thursday.
He is the third candidate to be put forward to ascend the throne.
Last weekend, Prince Simakade ka Zwelinthini reportedly entered the kraal – a traditional ceremony which sets a person up to be coronated as king.
This as the family is preparing for the official kraal entering ceremony for the recognised king elect, Misizulu ka Zwelinthini.
Prince Mbonisi kaBhekuzulu, Vulindlela kaBhekuzulu and Mathubesizwe kaBhekuzulu proclaimed that the coronation process was a violation of the customary rituals, which required them to be the ones taking him to the kraal.
The trio said the hallowed process could only be conducted by the remaining brothers of the late king and they condemned the coronation as it is against Zulu customs.
“The people who have organised the coronation and are behind the current king are unknown to the royal house. The late king did everything with us and told us how he wanted things in the royal house to be done. We have been quiet for too long and these people are leading the Zulu nation astray,” said Mathubesizwe.
They further implied that the current king was not preferred by the deceased king because of some “misdemeanours” and their choice was Zwelithini’s right-hand man (Buzabazi), who did everything for him, including resolving family conflicts.
The late 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.
The High Court in Pietermaritzburg has cleared the way for Prince Misuzulu to be crowned king following court battles over the succession battle.
The government has also recognised Prince Misuzulu as the next Zulu king.
The brothers told the media that they will not be part of the kraal entering ceremony for Prince Misuzulu, set to take place this weekend.
Meanwhile King Misuzulu KaZwelithini is preparing for the last rites of bringing home a lion – a very feared animal. The skin of the lion will be worn by the King as he takes over the Zulu throne.