The South African high court has dismissed an attempt to prevent Misuzulu Kazwelithini from being crowned Zulu king, stating that he is unquestionably the successor to the throne.
After the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini, the Zulu country has been without a leader for almost a year.
Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, his wife and interim regent, died soon after him, resulting in a long-running conflict over succession and inheritance.
Some royal family members objected to the appointment of her son, Prince Misuzulu Kazwelithini, before her death.
In addition to deciding that Prince Misuzulu’s coronation can proceed, Justice Isaac Madondo also denied a claim for 50 percent of the king’s estate by the first of the king’s six wives.
Two of the monarch’s daughters had filed a claim that their father’s will had been forged, preventing Prince Misuzulu from becoming king.
Judge Madondo upheld the claim, but noted that the prince was named heir in his mother’s will, not his father’s, and so his appointment was still valid.