The Supreme Court of Appeal has confirmed Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the legitimate king of the Zulu nation, overruling a 2023 Pretoria High Court judgment that had challenged his recognition.
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially recognised Misuzulu’s ascension to the throne on March 16, 2022, with a certificate handover ceremony at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. However, Zulu princes Mbonisi and Simakade contested the recognition, claiming that the identification of Misuzulu had not followed Zulu customary law.
In December 2023, Judge Norman Davis ruled that the recognition was unlawful and called for the formation of an investigative committee to examine whether proper procedures were followed in declaring Misuzulu king in May 2021.
Lawyers for both the king and President Ramaphosa appealed the ruling, arguing that the royal family had properly identified the king and that the President’s recognition was merely formal.
In Monday’s judgment, Judge Dumisani Zondi, Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, ruled that the high court had erred. He said the allegations by the princes were insufficient to justify referral to an investigative committee. “An allegation must contain the facts necessary to sustain the conclusion that customary law was not followed,” Judge Zondi explained.
Prince Thulani Zulu, spokesperson for King Misuzulu, welcomed the ruling and called on rebelling factions within the royal family to “return to the kraal” and unite under the king’s leadership.
“Unity is paramount. We are one family, and the king calls for unity. We appeal to our brothers and sisters who were on the sidelines to come back and unite with the entire family under the leadership of His Majesty, King Misuzulu,” he said.
Prince Thokozani Zulu, spokesperson for Prince Simakade, was not available for comment at the time of publication.
