South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has announced its intention to appeal a court ruling declaring his crowning of the new Zulu king as unlawful and invalid.
In a statement, the office emphasised that His Majesty King Misuzulu remains the identified heir to the throne throughout the legal proceedings challenging the coronation’s legitimacy.
The legitimacy of King Misuzulu’s claim to the throne was contested in the Pretoria High Court by his half-brother, Prince Simakade Zulu, who asserts his rightful heirship.
The power struggle for the throne erupted following the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini in 2021, with the brothers vying for succession. King Misuzulu appeared to secure victory in the succession battle, marked by his traditional coronation in August 2022, followed by a state ceremony two months later, where President Ramaphosa presented him with a certificate of recognition before a large audience.
However, on Monday, the Pretoria High Court ruled that the president had neglected proper procedures in recognising King Misuzulu as the monarch. The court contended that Mr. Ramaphosa failed to adhere to the law, which required him to initiate an investigation into objections to the accession. The legal dispute intensifies the already complex dynamics surrounding the Zulu royal succession.
