South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed his intention to appeal a court ruling that nullified the certification of Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the traditional King of the Zulu, the largest ethnic group in the country.
Following the Gauteng High Court's decision to declare Ramaphosa's recognition of King Misuzulu as the lawful heir to the throne invalid, the President is set to challenge this ruling through an appeal process, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told local media.
While the court did not mandate the king to step aside, it directed Ramaphosa to establish a committee to investigate alleged violations of customary laws in Misuzulu's identification as king. The court also instructed the Zulu King to cover the costs incurred by his half-brother, Prince Simakade Zulu.
"Following a study of the judgment, the president will apply for leave to appeal against the judgment. During the course of these legal processes, His Majesty, King Misuzulu, remains the identified heir to the throne," Magwenya said.
The spokesperson also emphasized the need for the Zulu royal family to prioritize unity and the interests of King Misuzulu's subjects. Additionally, he urged that due process be allowed to unfold without escalating tensions.
"It is vital that all due processes are allowed to reach their natural conclusion without inflaming tensions," Magwenya added.
Critics of the ruling have denounced it for challenging the legitimacy of the Zulu king's ascension, deeming it an affront to the Zulu nation and African culture. Zakhele Ndlovu, a political analyst from KwaZulu-Natal, expressed the view that the court should not dictate traditional leadership appointments.
"It should be remembered that the court is part of the western institutions which should not prescribe to Africans on how they should appoint their traditional leader. In terms of the Zulu culture a king is appointed in terms of Zulu traditions," Ndlovu told local media on Tuesday.
He highlighted that President Ramaphosa's official recognition carried less weight in terms of Zulu traditions, which mandate the king's recognition upon performing specific rituals.
"While President Cyril Ramaphosa last year officially recognised the King as the legitimate heir to the throne, his recognition didn’t carry much weight in terms of Zulu traditions which stipulate that the king is recognized as the Zulu nation ruler upon entering the kraal — a ritual which was performed long before the president’s recognition of the current Zulu King," the political analyst explained.
The dispute over the succession has caused division and tension within the royal family and the broader Zulu nation, which is comprised of approximately 12 million people. The Zulu king, a significant figure for many Zulus, symbolizes unity and cultural identity.
After the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini, father to 28 children, on March 12, 2021, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was recognized by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October 2022.
Upon his death, King Goodwill Zwelithini named his third wife, Mantfombi MaDlamini, Misuzulu's mother, as regent until a new monarch ascended the throne. However, complications arose following the unexpected passing of the queen, whose designated Misuzulu as the rightful heir to the throne.