KZN denies reports new king’s security has been downgraded
Kwazulu-natal’s provincial government will this week announce the process that will lead to the coronation of the new Zulu king, Misuzulu Kazwelithini.
Provincial government spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said premier Sihle Zikalala will make the announcement after the royal family’ s announced the new king on Friday.
“The premier will announce this week what is expected to be done on government’s side — not processes from the royal family. He will make the announcement after consulting his cabinet. I cannot speak about that detail today,” Mabaso said.
On Friday, King Misuzulu Kazwelithini was announced as the successor of his late father King Goodwill Zwelithini during the reading of the will of his late mother, regent Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said according to the royal family, the king is already on the throne.
But his ascendance to the throne has not been without drama. After he was announced as king, another of King Goodwill Zwelithini’s sons, Prince Thokozani Zulu, tried to question the process of appointing the successor.
Buthelezi, who presented a united front with the family in support of the new monarch on Saturday, raised concerns about his safety, citing the withdrawal of police VIP protection to the royal family. This, however, was yesterday rejected by Zikalala and the police.
“Following these engagements, we hereby reject these allegations as baseless and misleading. All royal palaces are under the protection of the SA Police Service and this will continue. The royal protection services is in place as we speak,” Zikalala said.
“In fact, there has even been reinforcement of security at all the palaces with the Tactical Response Unit. There will never be any effort to weaken security at the royal palaces of his majesty the king.”
On Friday, tensions were so high that King Misuzulu was whisked out of the venue at Kwakhangelamankengane royal palace. He was, however back at the palace on Saturday.
Buthelezi later told journalists the royal family has since united behind King Misuzulu.
Cultural expert Dr Gugu Mazibuko, a senior lecturer at the University of Kwazulu-natal, said drama before a new king is announced is common in the Zulu kingdom.
“Almost in every one of the kings of the Zulu nation, there are always some clashes that precede the new king — but the king still takes over. The king has been appointed by the forefathers of the nation.
“If you remember, Sigujana was already on the throne but because the throne was set to go to King Shaka, he was killed by [his half-brother] Ngwadi and Shaka took the crown,” Mazibuko said.
Sigujana Kasenzangakhona was half-brother of King Shaka but was killed not long after taking the throne and King Shaka took the reins.
Historian and author Shalo Mbatha said the tradition was for the king to choose a palace and even give it a name.
“We identify the king with his palace. He will have to choose which palace to use and also the name that will be used for it. But because of modernity, he may decide to follow suit — but he may decide not to do it,” Mbatha said.