King Misuzulu calls a reconciliation meeting to end hostilities among factions that challenged his right to the throne
King Misuzulu has extended an olive branch to the factions in the Zulu royal family that were opposed to his ascension to the throne.
Image: KZN DSAC/ Sphamandla Mbhele
Emboldened by the recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that affirmed him as the legitimate amaZulu monarch, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called a meeting of all the royal houses to end hostilities and factional differences.
Last week, the SCA overruled the Pretoria High Court's 2023 judgment that had set aside Misuzulu's recognition as monarch by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Zulu royal family spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu at the weekend issued a statement at the weekend saying that the mass meeting, called “Isibaya”, has been set for October 29 at Mashobeni royal palace in Pongola, north-east of KwaZulu-Natal. Zulu stated that the king felt it was important to call the meeting of the royal houses and traditional leadership to formally report to the royal structures that all kingship disputes have ended and they can now talk peace.
“On behalf of the His Majesty, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, I hereby inform all the royal houses heads, princes, princesses, amakhosi (traditional leaders) izinduna (headmen) and amabutho (regiments) about the meeting to end hostilities and forge peace and reconciliation among the royal family members,” said Zulu.
He said that in the interest of true reconciliation, particularly with those who went to court to challenge the king’s ascension to the throne, no one will be interrogated and questioned about his or her previous stance on the king.
“Those who were not agreeing with us may have good ideas which will benefit the kingdom and the Zulu nation, therefore it is important for the king to extend an olive branch to his fellow brothers and sisters to come and share those ideas with him for the best interest of the nation,” said Zulu.
Zulu Princes Simakade and Mbonisi, two members of the Zulu royal family have been involved in legal challenges against the recognition of King Misuzulu.
Speaking on behalf of Prince Simakade, Prince Mazwi Zulu from the KwaMinyamanzi royal residence, said Simakade will respond to the king's call at a media briefing on Friday. He also said that Simakade will announce at this briefing whether he will appeal the SCA ruling or not. Last week,Simakade's faction said it was awaiting legal advice before announcing a decision.
On March 16, 2022, Ramaphosa officially recognised Misuzulu’s ascension to the throne, which was followed by a certificate handover ceremony at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban that year.
However, Mbonisi and Simakade challenged the president’s recognition of Misuzulu in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. Their argument was that the 14 May, 2021 royal family meeting that affirmed Prince Misuzulu as the heir to throne was not properly constituted and that it was called and chaired by the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi whom they did not recognise as a royal family member.
In December 2023, Judge Norman Davis ruled that the recognition was unlawful and ordered that the president should appoint a committee to investigate whether the May 14, 2021 meeting, by the Zulu royal family, correctly followed the customary law and Zulu customs when declaring Prince Misuzulu as the king in terms of Section 8 of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019.
Lawyers for both the king and Ramaphosa appealed the ruling to the SCA. They argued that all processes were followed and that the royal family had actually identified the king, with the president only later giving official recognition.
In delivering last week’s judgment, Judge Dumisani Zondi, the Deputy President of the SCA, said the allegations presented by the applicants (Princes Mbonisi and Simakade) that the customary law was not followed in the May 2021 meeting were not sufficient for Judge Davis to refer the matter to the investigative committee.
Judge Zondi stated that he agreed with the counsel for King Misuzulu “that an allegation which would trigger the referral must contain the facts necessary to sustain the conclusion that customary law was not followed in the identification”.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za