Brother to the late amaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, Prince Thokozani Zulu, says the AmaZulu Nation does not have a king and that the succession matter lies with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Prince Thokozani Zulu instead supports Prince Simakade Zulu to ascend the throne.
Prince Thokozani Zulu was ordered by Traditional Zulu Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to sit down when he challenged the naming of King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini as the successor as per the will of the late Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu.
Zulu says that while a dispute over the throne remains, nobody can claim a stake in it.
The passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini in March has fractured the Zulu Royal family. The rift is largely over who should lead the Zulu Nation.
Chaos after the announcement of the new king:
Senior members including the late king’s siblings, Princess Thembi and Prince Mbonisi, have not recognised King Misuzulu ka-Zwelithini as their new king.
The late king’s brother, Prince Thokozani agrees.
He is from the faction supporting Prince Simakade Zulu as the rightful successor.
“If there is a process that is still unfolding that has not yet been resolved, then how do you expect the government to proceed with any form of the ceremony. It is a matter of fact that we don’t yet have a king and the matter is yet to be resolved and I view that in that particular context.”
No bad blood
Zulu, however, says that there is no bad blood between Prince Simakade and amaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
“My understanding is that there is no bad blood between Prince Simakade and Prince Misuzulu and they are brothers, but there is this issue of those who are driving a wedge between them for their own personal gains.”
Prince Thokozani Zulu’s decision to openly challenge the contents of the late Regent Queen’s will, drew criticism from some quarters who labelled him a rebel.
But he denies this criticism of him.
“The issue of royal rebels doesn’t arise. In fact, it is a misfit. Under the circumstances, I would have had used the stronger word, but I don’t prefer to throw expletives in public.”
In a statement, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government says the Executive Council has decided to delay its support and funding for any cultural activities until the disputes related to the Zulu Royal Household Kingship are resolved. It further states that it has taken a resolution to allow the Zulu Royal Household the space and the opportunity to resolve family issues without external interference.
