THE Zulu Royal House says it will review the court judgment handed down by North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, on Tuesday.
This follows Judge Norman Davi’s decision to set aside President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa’s recognition of King Misuzulu as the King of the Zulu nation.
The case was brought to court by Misuzulu’s brother, Prince Simakade Jackson Zulu and the late King Zwelithini’s half-brother, Mbonisi Zulu, as they challenged the process followed to identify and appoint Misuzulu as the heir to the throne.
Those sympathetic to Prince Simakade were quick to claim victory, referring to him as ‘King Simakade’ in televised interviews and on social media after Judge Davis’ ruled on the matter on Monday.
This has caused discomfort and anxiety in the Royal House, with some alleging King Misuzulu might be under attack.
But this was premature and the judgment was emphatic on that point.
The order was clear in that the King Misuzulu remained king of the Zulu nation, but it was the process followed by President Ramaphosa which the court ultimately ruled against.
“The question that came before this court was not to make a determination as to who should be king of the AmaZulu. The applicants didn’t ask the court to determine that issue. The applicants brought two review applications and the court was required to determine those,” Judge Davis wrote.
The first issue was whether King Misuzulu was correctly appointed king per Zulu customs and the second, was whether Ramaphosa had acted in accordance with the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019, also known as the Leadership Act.
Acting KZN Judge President Isaac Madondo had ruled substantively on the first issue, and Judge Davis was clear that he could not act as an appeal court on the basis of res iudicata (something which has already been decided). In other words, the king remains the king.
The Presidency Office has not responded on the latest judgment.
During Misuzulu’s crowning ceremony, some faction within the family did not attend citing he’s not the rightful person to ascend to the throne.
The late AmaZulu’s Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi who rallied support and guided Misuzulu would turn in his grave considering the latest but unfortunate turn of events.
This burning matter will furtherDa cause confusion to Amabutho and within the Zulu nation, at its entirety.
Image (Invalid certificate. Zulu King Misuzulu being handed the certificate of recognition during coronation ceremony by Pres Cyril Matamele Ramaphosa. In attendance were Premier of KZN Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.)
