Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini encountered a significant legal hurdle recently when his first wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela, attempted to block his plans to marry a third wife. The queen brought her case to court just days before the anticipated wedding ceremony, which was reportedly set to take place later this week.
Despite her efforts, a court ruling dismissed her request, leaving the fate of the wedding uncertain. Following the ruling, South African media reported the king had issued a letter claiming that the ceremony was canceled for "reasons beyond the control of the royal house." However, it remains unclear if the wedding will still take place as initially planned.
Polygamous marriages are legally acknowledged in South Africa, provided they are officially recognized as customary unions. This legal tussle follows a series of scandals impacting King Misuzulu since his ascension to the throne just over two years ago. While the Zulu king does not wield formal political authority, his cultural and social influence remains substantial, backed by a government-funded budget of several million dollars annually.
Before his coronation, the king entered into a civil marriage with Ntokozo in 2021. During the recent court hearing, her legal representation contended that their existing marriage should prevent him from marrying again unless it was dissolved or converted into a traditional union, as dictated by South African law.
Judge Bongani Mngadi ruled against the queen's application, citing her earlier consent to the king's potential to marry other women. Reports from the court indicated that the royal couple had agreed to transform their civil marriage into a traditional one last year; however, since then, the king has sought a divorce, claiming irreconcilable differences.
Amidst these developments, conflicting narratives have emerged regarding the wedding's status. A report from TimesLIVE revealed that the bride-to-be was unaware of the wedding's cancellation and believed it would occur as planned. In a surprising twist, another source stated that King Misuzulu expressed a strong commitment to marrying Nomzamo Myeni, asserting he would "marry her by force."
King Misuzulu's reign has been marked by controversy, including a contentious decision last December to unlawfully suspend the board of the Ingonyama Trust, an organization overseeing vast communal lands meant to benefit the communities under his rule. This decision raised significant concerns among royal watchers, alongside his abrupt dismissal of two close aides.
Complicating matters further is a legal case challenging his recognition as king, reflecting ongoing debates about his legitimacy. He rose to the throne unexpectedly following the passing of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini, due to diabetes-related complications during the Covid pandemic in March 2021, marking the end of the longest reign in Zulu history at nearly 50 years.
