Zulu regiments, amabutho, are adamant that no court will remove their reigning King Misuzulu KaZwelithini from his throne even if his legitimacy could be successfully challenged in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
Prince Gugulamazulu Zulu of Osuthu royal palace in Nongoma told Sunday World on Thursday outside the SCA in Bloemfontein where the king’s legitimacy is being challenged that king Misuzulu was never installed as the Zulu king by any court, chosen by his nation.
“Whatever happens at the SCA would not change the fact that Isilo is the king of the Zulu nation.
“That letter of President Cyril Ramaphosa was just the government recognising King Misuzulu, and the SCA has no say, or any other courts in the country, because Isilo was never elevated to the throne by any court,” declared the prince.
“The issue of the throne of the Zulu kingdom is the matter of the royal family, not the other way around. No court judgments or court orders will remove Isilo. The issue of the court is the certificate of recognition and whatever decision the SCA takes, the matter will be brought to us as the royal family,” said Gugulamazulu.
He also pointed out that Prince Simakade Zulu, who is challenging Misuzulu’s legitimacy, is not an enemy of Misuzulu.
“Prince Simakade is a family member of the royal house, and we are not fighting with him. The king is born and not chosen by anyone, and I urge Prince Simakade and others to come back home as we love them,” said Gugulamazulu.
Amabutho commander-in-chief, induna Sipho Mhlongo said in their culture, a king is born.
“Our culture states that our king is not installed by the president or courts.
Ingonyama (Misuzulu) was born from the marriage of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu,” said Mhlongo.
“If there was an issue about King Misuzulu, those matters were supposed to have been raised when cattle were sent to Swaziland to marry the queen mother.
“I want to state clearly that those who are contesting the Zulu Kingdom kingship must know that no courts or anyone will change the fact that King Misuzulu is the Zulu nation’s king, and he will be the king until his name is called by God and ancestors,” Mhlongo declared.
A 17-year-old prince, Misizwe Zulu from eMatheni Royal House in Nongoma said that he was in Bloemfontein to support Misuzulu.
“There is no other Ingonyama apart from King Misuzulu Zulu. Even our ancestors never chose the king through certificates.
Those who are busy using courts to fight our king will never win and they should just come down and support Isilo as family members from the royal house, not this nonsense they are doing,” said Misizwe.
The two-day hearing at the SCA, where President Cyril Ramaphosa was appealing the judgment handed down by the Pretoria High Court that his recognition of Misizulu should be set aside as it was invalid, was also attended by top Kwazulu-Natal traditional leaders such as Kwazulu-Natal, Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, Misuzulu spokesperson and Prince Thulani Zulu among others.
Judgment was reserved.
