Dumisani Blasius Khumalo ,a confidant and adviser to South Africa’s Zulu king, who was coronated in August in spite of objections from some members in the royal family, was murdered at the weekend following the traditional rites of womanhood.
Khumalo was killed by yet-to-be-identified assailants on Saturday night, shortly after attending the King’s first Reed Dance in Nongoma, Sihle Zikalala, a member of the regional legislature confirmed in a statement.
King MisuZulu Zulu confirmed “one of my chiefs has been hurt, Dr Khumalo…My heart is very sore that something like this has happened to us,” he said.
“Those who committed this crime, I swear to God they will be found.”
Over 10,000 people gathered Saturday in Nongoma, a Zulu stronghold in the southeastern KwaZulu-Natal province, for the traditional “reed dance”.
During the centuries-old ritual, the girls present themselves to the king of the country’s largest ethnic group – about 11 million Zulus, almost one in five South Africans.
Opponents of the new monarch had issued threats and predicted a “bloodbath” if the celebration went ahead.
Khumalo, the king’s chief advisor, was responsible for settling disputes within the Zulu community.
Some communal disputes in South Africa are settled in traditional courts rather than in a state judicial setting.
Many pointed out that Khumalo was very dedicated to the royal family and he worked closely with MisuZulu’s father who reigned for 50 years.
A dispute over succession has raged since the demise of Goodwill Zwelithini last year. In South Africa, traditional rulers and chiefs are recognised by the constitution and exercise significant moral authority.
MisuZulu kaZwelithini, recognised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was born to the favourite and third wife of Goodwill Zwelithini.
The first wife challenged the succession in court, which rejected the claim.
The late king’s eldest son, who was born out of wedlock, filed an emergency lawsuit this week claiming he was the rightful heir.
Brothers of Goodwill Zwelithini also claimed the throne for another contender.
At the ceremony Saturday, the new king appealed for “peace and unity (to) prevail in the royal house”.