South Africa’s royal chaos as new Zulu king title disputed
A ROYAL family feud intensified in South Africa yesterday after rival factions refused to recognise the new heir to the Zulu throne.
Prince Misuzulu Zulu was named as the new king in his mother’s will, triggering chaos in the palace and clashes with bodyguards on Friday.
Since the death of 72-year-old King Goodwill Zwelithini in March, after almost 50 years of rule, a turbulent succession battle between various camps of the royal family has raged. The crown was first handed to Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, one of the former king’s six wives. But she, too, died after just a month in power.
Rivals among the ethnic group claim the 65-year-old was poisoned and that the document signed by King Zwelithini naming her as successor was a forgery.
The title is largely a ceremonial role, but one with great significance for South Africa and its 12 million Zulu people, not least because the royal family claims a £3.5million stipend from South African taxpayers.
After a week of infighting, Prince Misuzulu Zulu was named as the next king in his mother’s will. At the public event to announce the new king, bodyguards were forced to remove a 46-yearold rival heir. Amid objections at the
‘We have no doubt we will unite as a family … let us emulate the king by being peaceful’
KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, two princesses questioned whether the late king’s will gave Queen Mantfombi the power to name a successor.
King Zwelithini reportedly had 28 children with his different wives, and Queen Mantfombi was not his first.
The Zulus are Africa’s most powerful tribe and their king often bridges the gap between traditional customs and modern democracy in South Africa. They are the largest ethnic group among the country’s 60 million people.
The king’s net worth is thought to be around $20 million (£14.3 million), according to Forbes. It is thought that a trust in the king’s name, which holds the vast amount of land owned by the Zulus, controls nearly 30 per cent of KwaZulu-Natal province.
On Friday, Prince Misuzulu, who wore a traditional leopard-skin headband reserved for royalty and chiefs, called for unity among the Zulu royals at his mother’s memorial service.
“We have no doubt we will unite as a family,” he said in a message read out by his younger sister, Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu. “Let us emulate the king by being peaceful.”
King Zwelithini, who had diabetes, reportedly died from a Covid-19 related illness.
Following the death of Queen Mantfombi last week, Prince Buthelezi, told South African media she may have been poisoned by rivals in the family.
No official cause of death has been released.