The Pretoria High Court heard arguments on the second day of the trial to contest the rightful heir to the Zulu throne. State advocate Marumo Moerane argued on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, stating that the president had the right to issue a certificate of kingship to Zulu King Misizulu kaZwelithini without investigating if Zulu processes and customs were followed.
Moerane pointed out that the issuing of the certificate was based on the judgment by Justice Isaac Madondo in March 2022, where King Misizulu was declared the undisputed successor to the throne.
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Prince Mbonisi Zulu had applied for an interdict against the coronation of Prince Misizulu, which was denied by Madondo. Moerane argued that at the time of Ramaphosa’s decision, Madondo’s order was in full effect and the president was entitled to rely on the findings made.
He also stated that Ramaphosa had acted on the advice and permission of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Zulu prime minister, who was present at the family meeting where the identification of the new king was decided.
The applicant argued that Buthelezi and his representations were not part of the royal family, therefore Ramaphosa was not entitled to rely on them. However, Moerane highlighted that Justice Madondo had found Buthelezi to be the only person authorized to convene meetings of the royal family as the prime minister.
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Prince Simakade Zulu, the half-brother of King Misizulu, had brought the application to contest the kingship, claiming to be the rightful heir. Another application came from Prince Mbonisi Zulu, who argued that the royal family should meet again to elect and appoint the rightful heir.
Outside the Pretoria High Court, a small group of amabutho and maidens showed their support for King Misizulu by singing and dancing in traditional gear. The trial continues as the court examines the evidence and arguments presented by both sides.
