Ramaphosa to Appeal Court Ruling on Zulu King Recognition

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will appeal a court decision that set aside his official recognition of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the King of the Zulu nation.

The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that Ramaphosa failed to follow due process in terms of the Leadership Act of 2019, when he failed to institute an investigating panel when a dispute over the throne arose. King Misuzulu ascended to the Zulu throne following the death of his father and regent, King Goodwill Zwelithini.

His traditional coronation was delayed by 15 months due to feuding over the royal succession. The court has ordered the president to appoint an investigating committee to determine the rightful heir to the throne. The succession dispute is not merely for symbolic power, as King Misuzulu inherited nearly 30,000 square kilometers of land, almost the area of Belgium, which is managed by a trust.