Proceedings get underway as SCA hears appeal on King Misuzulu's recognition as Zulu King
King Misuzulu's opposers hope SCA agrees with high court ruling, while King Misuzulu's camp hopes SCA reaches different decision.
Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at the commemoration of the historic Battle of Isandlwane in Nquthu, northern KwaZulu-Natal on 27 January 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness Newss
BLOEMFONTEIN - Proceedings are underway in the appeal case where President Cyril Ramaphosa is challenging a High Court ruling that set aside his recognition of Misuzulu as King of the Zulu nation.
Ramaphosa recognised Misuzulu in March 2022, in terms of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act.
The king's uncle, Prince Mbonisi and his nephew, Prince Simakade approached the High Court in Pretoria to challenge the recognition, and the court ruled in their favour.
And as both factions sat in court on Wednesday morning, Prince Thokozani Zulu, who speaks on behalf of Prince Simakade, said, “We are confident that the five-judge panel sitting for this matter will also rule in our favour as it happened in Pretoria.”
Meanwhile, King Misuzulu’s spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu, said hopefully the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) would reach a different conclusion.
“We expect that judges to look into the procedure on how the certificate was issued, because today is not about the throne at all - it is about the procedure, because the reason why the President gave the certificate is because on the 20th of August 2022, there was a custom of ‘Ukungena Esibayeni’ which is the only custom by the people of installing a king.”
Both factions join each other in a song “Khethani Amagwala” a historic hymn dating back from King Shaka’s era. They are singing and dancing in court just moments before the five judges make their way inside court. @_NMabaso pic.twitter.com/kdApmaJ5qm
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 28, 2025