South Africa’s Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has found himself embroiled in a legal battle as his first wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela, sought to prevent his upcoming third marriage. Queen Mayisela, who married the king in a civil ceremony in 2021, turned to the courts ahead of the expected wedding this week, arguing that their civil union remained valid, thus blocking any further marriages under South African law.
Under South African law, a civil marriage must either be dissolved or converted to a traditional union before a man can marry additional wives. However, the king’s legal team stated that they had agreed to convert their marriage from civil to traditional, but the queen claims the king later reversed his decision for unknown reasons. Despite these legal challenges, Judge Bongani Mngadi ruled against Queen Mayisela’s bid to stop the marriage, citing her prior consent for the king to marry other women.
This legal setback comes amidst a series of controversies surrounding King Misuzulu since his ascension to the throne in 2022, following the death of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini. Despite his position being largely ceremonial, the Zulu king holds significant influence, with a substantial government-funded budget and control over large tracts of land through the Ingonyama Trust. However, his leadership has been marked by several scandals, including the unlawful suspension of the Ingonyama Trust board and the recent dismissal of two close aides, raising questions about his leadership.
The controversy surrounding the king’s marriages is further complicated by conflicting reports regarding the planned wedding. While some sources reported that the ceremony was called off due to reasons beyond the royal house’s control, other reports claim that the wedding would proceed as initially planned. The bride-to-be, Nomzamo Myeni, reportedly expressed surprise at the announcement, insisting she was unaware of any cancellation and believed the marriage would go ahead.
King Misuzulu’s decision to marry a third wife has drawn attention not only for its legal implications but also for its political context. His reign has faced criticism from various quarters, with some questioning his legitimacy as the Zulu monarch, sparking ongoing legal battles regarding his recognition.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear whether the planned wedding will go ahead, but the ongoing legal and political challenges only add to the complexities surrounding King Misuzulu’s rule.
