The Zulu royal family is still in the dark about whether to proceed with brewing umqombothi (sorghum beer) to prepare for King Misuzulu's wedding to his third wife, Queen Nomzamo Myeni, in ten days' time.
This after his estranged wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela filed an urgent interdict to stop the nuptials.
His Majesty’s office is still awaiting word from the king, who ended his month-long fasting and isolation on Thursday after observing the First Fruits ceremony, on the next course of action following Queen Ntokozo's legal fight.
The royal family said they were caught unaware by the queen's court action and therefore can't say anything on the matter.
However, Queen Ntokozo, in a statement through her foundation', insisted that the legal route was her last resort as she reached out to the royal family and the matriarch, Queen Mavis MaZungu Zulu, the surviving widow of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon.
The king's wedding was officially announced by his spokesperson, Prince Simphiwe Zulu, last week.
Queen Ntokozo wants the wedding stopped on the basis that she and the king were in a civil marriage with a community of property clause.
Therefore, the king would be committing bigamy by marrying someone without nullifying their marriage.
The king applied for a divorce and in his papers offered R20,000 per month maintenance. Queen Ntokozo is of the view that such a move goes against Zulu customs and traditions for which the king is a custodian.
When contacted, Prince Simphiwe said he was clueless on whether the wedding will go ahead or not.
"This issue involves two people, Queen kaMayisela and His Majesty, the king. We are waiting for them to pronounce what's next. The king hasn't said anything; therefore, we don't know what's happening," said Prince Simphiwe.
The king and Queen Ntokozo got married in eNquthu in 2021.
Queen Ntokozo would like her matter to be heard tomorrow, January 20.
Legal analyst, advocate Abigail Ngobene said the king can't marry someone while still married to Queen Ntokozo.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Ngobeni said: "The law doesn't allow a spouse in a civil marriage in community of property to enter into another marriage prior to the dissolving of such marriage. Where we are now, the king's marriage is not a customary marriage. It's a civil marriage, which only allows for two people to be married."
Ngobene said the legal process would be to dissolve the civil marriage, and if the king proceeds with his marriage (to Queen Nomzamo), it would be null and void.
Ngobene insisted that civil marriage doesn't allow for polygamy.
The king skirted the issues of his personal problems at the First Fruits ceremony that was held at the eMashobeni royal palace on Thursday. It was his first public appearance after his month-long seclusion and fasting.
Many expected him to speak on several issues that have dominated the public domain leading up to the ceremony; however, His Majesty shied away from his personal issues, choosing to thank amakhosi (traditional leaders) for allowing amabutho (warriors) to be part of the ceremony.
In a four-minute address, the king said the event was not for long speeches, and thanked amabutho for their resilience.
“I wish to thank amabutho and doctors who have not slept, working with us until the end of the ceremony. You will recall that the ceremony precedes another very important ceremony, that of the Battle of Isandlwana commemoration,” said the king.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE