KING Misuzulu kaZwelithini has once again been affirmed as the rightful monarch of the Zulu kingdom.
Image: Siphamandla Mbhele/ KZNSAC
While Prince Simakade Zulu believes he is the rightful heir to the Zulu throne that became available after the passing of his father, King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, in March 2021, experts have warned that he needs to rein in those ambitions because they could bring him serious trouble.
Simakade has been outspoken about his claims to the Zulu monarchy and has even challenged his brother, King Misuzulu, who has since taken up the position. He also took his fight to the highest court in the land and lost.
The Constitutional Court dismissed Simakade’s application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) decision to uphold President Cyril Ramaphosa’s endorsement of King Misuzulu as king of the Zulu nation on Friday.
In its ruling, the court said that Simakade had no prospect of successfully appealing the SCA’s October 2025 ruling. The judgment was handed down by Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo and his seven colleagues. They ruled that there were no reasonable prospects of success on the merits of the application for leave to appeal.
Despite the court action against his brother having run its course over five years, Simakade remains defiant. Through his spokesperson, Prince Thokozani Zulu, he rejected the ruling. He dug in his heels and said that he would continue to be recognised as the real king because his appointment followed the correct traditional steps, which included the ceremony of entering the kraal.
Cultural and legal experts have urged Simakade to comply or risk being held in contempt of court, which could lead to further consequences, including arrest.
Talent Mhlongo, a legal expert, said Simakade’s defiance of the Constitutional Court ruling could bring serious consequences, including a jail term. Mhlongo said that if Simakade continued to act as a king, he would be in contempt of court, which is a criminal offence, and President Cyril Ramaphosa, King Misuzulu or even a non-governmental organisation could challenge him with court action.
“It is advisable for Prince Simakade to just let it go and live with the reality that he will never become king of AmaZulu. He must counsel himself because continuing to act as a king could lead to contempt of court,” said Mhlongo.
He said an argument could be made that Simakade’s continued claims could lead to violence and instability in the province, especially if two kings claim legitimacy over a large number of subjects such as AmaZulu.
In September 2024, a man who claimed to be a king in Newcastle was arrested under the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership Act of 2005, which declared that the only nation with kingship in the province is AmaZulu.
University of KwaZulu-Natal-based cultural expert Professor Sihawu Ngubane agreed with Mhlongo, saying Simakade must understand the importance of respecting the position rather than the person who occupies it. Ngubane said Simakade may not recognise King Misuzulu as a person, but he is bound to respect the crown, especially after the Constitutional Court ruling.
DAILY NEWS