The drama surrounding the upcoming wedding of AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini continues to escalate, with conflicting reports and legal challenges threatening to overshadow the event.
The king is scheduled to marry his third wife, Nomzamo Myeni, in a traditional ceremony next week, but allegations of a cancelled wedding and a power struggle within the royal house have emerged.
However, in an exclusive telephone interview on Sunday, both King Misuzulu and Queen Nomzamo Myeni vehemently denied the letter’s authenticity. Queen Myeni reacted with surprise to the news of a cancelled wedding.
“What cancellation? What are you talking about? I’m with the king here and we do not know what you are talking about. The king has not informed me about that,” she stated, handing the phone to the king.
The king responded with laughter, declaring: “Engingakusho nje ukuthi ngiymthanda umkami futhi ngizomshada ngenkani (all I can say is that I love my wife and will marry her by force).” He confirmed their location at Esmashobeni Royal palace, a newly built palace in Pongola, north-east KwaZulu-Natal, a revival of King Shaka’s palace.
This is where he held the Umkhosi Woselwa ceremony on Thursday, a ritual involving Zulu warriors hand-strangling a bull. The king added, “If people want to believe lies that is their problem. Go tell those who want to go with the truth that I love my wife and will marry her by force. I wish I could make a video call to you so that you could see that we are together.”
The couple stated the royal family would hold an urgent meeting to investigate the source of the circulating letters.
Adding to the intrigue, sources within the royal house allege a deal was offered to Prince Simphiwe Zulu, the king’s representative. These sources claim Queen Myeni allegedly promised Prince Simphiwe the position of traditional prime minister in exchange for facilitating the king’s divorce from Queen Ntokozo Mayisela and ensuring the wedding proceeded on 26 January.
“He was told to deliver the divorce and the wedding; hence, he has sleepless nights, working overtime to ensure that kaMayisela divorces [the king] and MaMyeni gets married. She doesn’t have such powers, but she will advise her husband on who to hire for the position,” a source revealed.
“I don’t know why they have turned this historic day into a day where they announce prime ministers. Simphiwe is also trying to prove that he is good for the position and doing things he is in a position to do. But the king called him out, asking him who gave him permission to do that.” The source also highlighted the king’s deliberate approach to decision-making, suggesting that if the king were “forced to marry,” it would have negative consequences.
Another source claimed that when the king stated he hadn’t decided on a new prime minister, Queen Myeni suggested Prince Simphiwe.
“Other people have their suggestions of who the new prime minister should be. Two weeks ago, the royal family had a meeting; they now want to remove him [the king] from the throne. We don’t care anymore; whatever happens, happens.”
This source also noted that many favoured the former prime minister, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, citing his track record and plans for the chiefs, including computer classes, university opportunities, and substantial financial distributions. Buthelezi was dismissed three weeks ago by the king for allegedly deviating from expectations.
The source added, “There is no movement showing that there is a wedding coming [soon]. But MaMyeni says the wedding is going ahead. Simphiwe is the happiest man now because he was given money to plan the wedding. If the wedding doesn’t happen, he will keep the money and that will be the beginning of fights between him and MaMyeni.”
Queen Myeni declined to comment when contacted by City Press. Prince Simphiwe, when previously contacted, stated he would not pressure the king. Repeated attempts to reach him for comment on the alleged prime minister offer proved unsuccessful.
A royal family member shed light on previous events surrounding the appointment of a traditional prime minister last year. There were competing factions vying for Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi’s appointment. The family was surprised by the king’s choice of Thulasizwe Buthelezi, expecting either Zuzifa or Prince Mthokozisi, who was removed due to alleged infidelity with Queen Mayisela.
Queen Mayisela denied these allegations last May. The family member expressed initial support for Thulasizwe’s appointment, but noted that the subsequent dismissal of Thulasizwe Buthelezi created further discord.
“You have to ask yourself why the late King [Zwelithini] did not appoint Misuzulu as his successor. It was because he knew his weaknesses; that is why he gave the responsibility to his mother [the late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu]. Misuzulu is controlled, among other things,” the insider stated.
The insider also described restricted access to the king due to security measures. With the wedding set for next Sunday, respecting the church’s Sabbath observance, the court proceedings on Monday will be closely watched.
