By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Amazulu Royal family held a media briefing at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Friday.
Since the passing of King Zwelithini, the Zulu royal family had found it difficult to mourn peacefully. The matter surrounding succession became topical for a while and it drained the family,” said Prince Vulindlela Zulu on behalf of the family.
He said the country watched in disbelief as the battle for power reared its ugly head.
“The claim to the throne became a battlefield which led to various court proceedings. The royal family was plunged into chaos and sometimes embarrassing moments caused by opposing forces,” he said.
The family also launched a veiled attack on people meddling in their matters.
“It is painful to see people who are not members of the royal family taking a front seat on the matters of the throne and those people are causing a lot a divisions,” Vulindlela said.
This was while King Misuzulu was in Nquthu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, launching a project to upgrade the 31km P372 gravel highway.
The princes who called the briefing were brothers of late King Goodwill Zwelithini and uncles of the reigning King Misuzulu.
During the briefing they unveiled a Zulu royal family tree.
This tree would make it clear who belongs in the family so that those who claim to be princes and princesses, but who are not, would be identified and isolated.
“This tree has been created to make sure that those who speak for the royal family are in that tree.
“If there is anyone who feels that he should have been included in that tree, he or she should come forward,” he said.
In the family tree, which started from King Cetshwayo down to King Zwelithini, listed King Misuzulu as one of the princes, instead of a king.
The royal house remains divided over the rightful ruler of the Zulu nation, with Prince Simakade KaZwelithini Zulu and some family members declaring him the legitimate king, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s official recognition of Prince Misuzulu as the Zulu king.
However, in December 2023, the High Court in Pretoria set aside Ramaphosa’s recognition of Misuzulu, following applications by Prince Mbonisi Zulu and Prince Simakade Zulu to review a meeting held in May 2021 where the appointment was made.
Judge Norman Davis ruled that the process was flawed, unlawful, and invalid, ordering Ramaphosa to appoint an investigative committee as stipulated by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, along with a cost order against the president.
Apart from the succession battle, the king is facing challenges in his personal life. In January he postponed his marriage to his third bride-to-be Nomzamo Myeni. He cited being in seclusion as the reason and sent a cow to the Myenis to appease them.
A week before the wedding, the Pietermaritzburg high court dismissed with costs an urgent interdict application filed by Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela Zulu, from whom the king is seeking a divorce. kaMayisela was trying to prevent the king marrying another woman while still married to her.
The king is also at loggerheads with the Ingonyama Trust’s board members and attempted to suspend them and dissolve the board but his action was revoked by land reform and rural development minister Mzwanele Nyhontso.