The Zulu nation prime minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelelezi, who described Saturday’s installation of Prince Simakade Zulu as king of the Zulu nation as “false”, on Sunday urged police to take steps against the new “king”.
“He described it as an illegal activity and that the law must take its course,” Buthelezi’s spokesperson, Liezl van der Merwe, said.
This is after a faction of the Zulu royal family installed Prince Simakade Zulu during a sacred royal family ceremony called “entering the kraal”.
According to Prince Simakade’s supporters, the prince, who was installed at the eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, is the successor to the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
This is despite the fact that the South African government has already certified King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the legitimate ruler of the Zulu nation.
Preparations for the ceremony of “entering the kraal” for King Misuzulu were under way when Prince Simakade was installed by some members of the royal family.
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Prince Simakade, who is the eldest surviving son of the King Goodwill Zwelithini, enjoys the support of the late king’s brother, Prince Mbonisi Zulu, some of the late king’s queens, some princesses and a section of Amabutho (Zulu regiments).
During Sunday’s recording with news channel Newzroom Afrika, a group of Amabutho and some members of the royal family could be seen showering Prince Simakade with praises only reserved for a Zulu king.
In the video, Prince Simakade described his crowning as “the will of God and the ancestors”.
“There are people who have been trying to rob us of our culture, our heritage and what we stand for as the Zulu nation. What happened today is the restoration of our pride and our heritage,” he said.
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The prince and his supporters have been challenging the process that led to King Misuzulu’s appointment as the successor of King Zwelithini.
Misuzulu was appointed new Zulu king in line with the will left behind by his mother, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, who at the time of her death in April last year was holding the position of Zulu nation regent.
However, Prince Simakade and his supporters believe that the decision on the late king’s successor should be made by members of the royal family.
Prince Buthelezi, who said Prince Simakade and his supporters have failed to make a compelling case in court, described Saturday’s ceremony as “meaningless”.
His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is already on the throne. His position has been recognised and announced by the president of the country and has been gazetted.
“There is thus no space to contest His Majesty’s authority nor to pretend to have any claim to the throne. This fact has been repeatedly reinforced through failed court actions brought by those who have sought to challenge the reality of His Majesty’s enthronement,” Buthelezi said on Sunday.