State coronation of Zulu king was unconstitutional – Court

A court in South Africa said that President Cyril Ramaphosa did not have the right to officially make the new Zulu king last year.

The court told him to investigate if King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini followed the traditional rules when he became the king.

The king’s half-brother, Prince Simakade Zulu, is taking legal action because he believes he should be the king.

The death of their dad in 2021 caused a big fight in the family about who would take over.

The late King Goodwill Zwelithini was the Zulu king for nearly 50 years. He had six wives and at least 26 children.

King Misuzulu seemed to have won the fight to become the next king, especially after his traditional crowning in August 2022. Two months later, Mr. Ramaphosa gave him a certificate of recognition at a big ceremony in front of many people.

In South Africa, the president officially acknowledges the new king, which allows him to be treated like a king under the country’s laws and to receive financial support from the government.

The king has a lot of land in South Africa that he controls according to the law.

Prince Simakade said that Mr. Ramaphosa made a quick decision without following the right traditional and legal steps when he recognized his younger half-brother as the leader.

Mr Ramaphosa has not said if he will agree with the decision or try to fight it in a higher court.

His spokesperson said his lawyers are still analyzing the decision made by the Pretoria high court on Monday.

The court said it wasn’t deciding who the real king is, but if the president did the right things before calling King Misuzulu the ruler.

It was said that Mr Ramaphosa did not follow the law, which told him to start an inquiry into complaints about entering a position.

The 49-year-old Zulu king’s office has not said anything about the decision.

It has caused mixed feelings among people in South Africa, and may create more problems for the Zulu royal family.

Some are worried that it could make the situation worse in a country that has had problems with poisoning and killings since the previous king died.

King Misuzulu’s followers believe he is the true king, and this includes the leader of South Africa’s third largest political party, Julius Malema.

“King, my one and only King. ” “Praise the King,” said the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) after the ruling.

However, some people who are on Prince Simakade’s side believe that he will become king one day. They see the current ruling as the first step in helping him become the ruler.

In Zulu tradition, the oldest son doesn’t always become king. In the past, there have been fights for control of the throne.

South Africa has eight kings and queens that are approved by the government and paid for with taxpayer money.