By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The AmaZulu traditional prime minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has called on Prince Simakade Zulu and Prince Mbonisi Zulu to respect the court ruling affirming the recognition of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the Zulu king and work towards unity within the royal house.
On Friday, 20 February 2026, the Concourt rejected Simakade’s application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) ruling on affirmation of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of King Misuzulu as king of the Zulu nation.
The court found that there were no reasonable prospects of success in Simakade’s application. It refused leave to appeal and ordered that costs must be paid.
Buthelezi, speaking on behalf of Misuzulu at a media briefing on Monday afternoon, said the king reiterated the call to his brothers Prince Simakade and Prince Mbonisi to respect the ruling and ‘return to the kraal’. He added that their chairs in the royal palaces continue to remain empty, waiting for them occupy them.
“Now that all possible legal avenues to challenge His Majesty the King have been exhausted, we trust that Prince Simakade and Prince Mbonisi and all those who were challenging for the throne, realise that they have come to the end of the road,” Buthelezi said.
The chairperson of the royal council, inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi said the ruling vindicates his father, the late inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi who stood his ground in maintaining that Misuzulu was the rightful heir to the throne.
“Although I am not well, I had to come here to represent my late father who tolerated all the insults to ensure that the rightful king is installed. He was accused of interfering in royal family matters, some said he was not a family member. Today he is vindicated,” said Buthelezi.
The crowning ceremony – held in Durban and presided over by Ramaphosa and attended by heads of state, dignitaries and thousands, including colourful Zulu warriors and maidens – meant that Misuzulu succeeded his father, who died in February 2021 of Covid-19 complications, after he had been admitted to a Durban hospital.
In his will, read at the fateful meeting that nominated then Prince Misuzulu as next king, Zwelithini stated that his wife and Swazi princess, Queen Mantfombi, would choose his successor.
Queen Mantfombi died less than two months after her husband. She had married Zwelithini in 1977 and her bride price was collected from members of the Zulu nation. In her will, which was also read after her untimely death, she nominated her first-born son, Misuzulu, as the next king nominee, and her choice was supported by leading members of the Zulu royal family, including Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Since then members of the Zulu Royal family have been deeply divided over the succession debate, with some supporting Misuzulu and others favouring his half-brother and the late king’s oldest living son, Simakade, for the position.
AmaZulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa, with an estimated 12 million Zulu-speaking people, predominantly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). isiZulu is the home language to about 24% of South Africans. Data shows that in 2022, South African taxpayers were paying up to R75-million (over US$4-million) each year to support the king and Zulu royal family members.