Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

South African court rules new Zulu king can be crowned

A new Zulu king can be crowned in South Africa after a court settled a dispute over whether the prince named as heir to the throne last year had a rightful claim to it

Via AP news wire
Wednesday 02 March 2022 17:19 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

A new Zulu king can be crowned in South Africa after a court settled a dispute Wednesday over whether the prince named as heir to the throne last year had a rightful claim to it.

A KwaZulu-Natal high court judge in the city of Pietermaritzburg ruled that Prince Misuzulu KaZwelithini, the eldest surviving son of the late king, is the "undisputed successor to the throne."

The Zulu king has a largely ceremonial role in South Africa but holds great significance for the 12 million Zulus who make up the country's largest ethnic group. The king also inherits control over large portions of land and a significant fortune.

The battle over Prince Misuzulu's claim began last year with the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini, who had held the throne since 1968. The king's will named one of his wives as Queen Regent of the Zulus, but she died a month after the king, leaving her son Prince Misuzulu to be named the king in waiting.

Two Zulu princesses said the late king’s will had been forged and went to court to stop Misuzulu’s coronation.

The judge ruled Misuzulu was the rightful heir, giving the go-ahead for South Africa to witness the first Zulu coronation in more than half a century and the first in the country's post-apartheid era.

However, the judge suspended the execution of the late king's will pending a court hearing to decide on its authenticity. King Zwelithini's fortune has been estimated at $20 million.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in