Amazulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini says he will pursue peace with his defiant half-brother Prince Simakade.
Image: Supplied
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini on Monday said he would continue to try and convince his half-brother Prince Simakade, to return home and make peace despite Simakade rejecting the Constitutional Court ruling which affirmed Misuzulu as the legitimate AmaZulu king.
On Friday, the Apex court rejected Simakade’s application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) affirmation of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of King Misuzulu as king of the Zulu nation. The court found that Simakade has no prospect of successfully appealing the SCA’s October 2025 ruling.
In the judgment, Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo and his seven colleagues said the court had concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of success on the merits of the application for leave to appeal.
Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, speaking on behalf of Misuzulu at a media briefing on Monday afternoon, said the king reiterated the call to his brothers Prince Simakade and Prince Mbonisi to respect the ruling and 'return to the kraal'. He added that their chairs in the royal palaces continue to remain empty, waiting for them occupy them.
“Now that all possible legal avenues to challenge His Majesty the King have been exhausted, we trust that Prince Simakade and Prince Mbonisi and all those who were challenging for the throne, realise that they have come to the end of the road,” Buthelezi said.
Simakade and Mbonisi did not respond to requests for comment.
However, Simakade had previously rejected the ruling and any unity talks, saying that he would continue to be recognised as the legitimate king because his appointment followed correct traditional steps.
The chairperson of the royal council, inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi said the ruling vindicates his father, the late inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who stood his ground in maintaining that Misuzulu was the rightful heir to the throne.
From left: Prince Thulani Zulu, inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi, Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, Prince Thuthukani Zulu and deputy Traditional Prime Minister inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza at Monday's media briefing.
Image: Willem Phungula
“Although I am not well, I had to come here to represent my late father who tolerated all the insults to ensure that the rightful king is installed. He was accused of interfering in royal family matters, some said he was not a family member. Today he is vindicated,” said Buthelezi.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za