SCA Dismisses High Court Ruling, Validates President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Recognition of King Misuzulu
- The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has made a ruling regarding King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's recognition as Zulu monarch
- In December 2023, the Gauteng High Court ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa was unlawful in crowning King Misuzulu
- The SCA dismissed the high court's ruling, which was made after an application was brought forward by Prince Simakade Zulu
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Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
FREE STATE – The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has ruled in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s favour, setting aside a high court ruling in connection with who is the rightful AmaZulu King.
In December 2023, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that Ramaphosa’s crowning and recognition of His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini were unlawful and invalid. Judge Norman Davis then ordered the president to act in accordance with the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act and appoint an investigative committee at the time.
The committee was to probe allegations that the identification process of Misuzulu was not conducted in terms of customary laws and customs.
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Ramaphosa successfully appeals high court ruling
In an application heard at the second-highest court of appeal in the country in Bloemfontein, Ramaphosa successfully appealed the December 2023 judgment. The SCA dismissed Prince Simakade Zulu’s initial application with costs, confirming King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's recognition as lawful under Zulu customs.
Prince Simakade, who is the eldest son of the late King Zwelithini, wanted the coronation and recognition of Misuzulu to be reviewed and set aside. He alleged in his court papers that the late Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu customarily acknowledged him as her firstborn, despite him not being her biological child. He said, therefore, he was the rightful heir to the Zulu throne.
Misuzulu denied Simakade's claims and reasoning for why he should be heir to the throne.
The Zulu Royal Family welcomes the decision
After the judgment was made, the Zulu Royal Family welcomed the outcome, saying it brought about some clarity and finality to the matter.
“At this time, His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini calls upon all members of the Royal Family to embrace unity, reconciliation, and healing,” Prince Thulani Zulu, spokesperson for the Royal Family, said.
The Royal Family thanked His Majesty’s legal representatives, traditional advisers, the private office of His Majesty the King, and the Zulu Kingdom Executive for their dedication to the matter
It also thanked the Presidency, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), and the people of the Zulu nation for their continued support.
King Misuzulu warns men against pursuing underage girls
Briefly News reported that King Misuzulu addressed the young maidens at the annual Reed Dance Festival.
The Zulu King warned men who pursue underage girls, saying that he would deal with them personally.
South Africans shared mixed reactions to the King's statement, with some praising him for his leadership.
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Source: Briefly News
