Prince Simakade, half-brother to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, has rejected calls for unity in the Zulu royal family following the Constitutional Court’s recent dismissal of his legal challenge.
Last week, the apex court refused Prince Simakade leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s October 2025 ruling. That decision upheld President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recognition of King Misuzulu as the legitimate AmaZulu monarch. The court found no reasonable prospects of success on the merits.
On Monday, King Misuzulu held a media briefing. He urged his half-brother to return home and make peace, expressing willingness to reconcile despite the ongoing tensions.
Prince Simakade responded through spokesperson Prince Thokozani Zulu that same night. He stated it is difficult to entertain unity calls after being denied access to justice. The prince highlighted that he has not received the full judgment, only an order circulated on social media. He criticised the dismissal for lacking opportunity to make representations, labelling it a political judgment.
Prince Simakade insisted peace talks must be preconditioned on truth and equal access to justice. Without these, he finds reconciliation untenable.
The succession dispute traces back to the 2021 death of their father, King Goodwill Zwelithini. Factions within the royal family supported different heirs, leading to prolonged court battles. The late Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi backed Misuzulu’s claim, tolerating criticism to ensure the rightful king’s installation.
Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi, chairperson of the royal council, welcomed the ruling as vindication of his father’s stance. He called for stability and cooperation under King Misuzulu’s leadership.
The Constitutional Court’s decision exhausts legal avenues for Prince Simakade. Yet royal tensions persist, with unity efforts met by demands for procedural fairness. The Zulu nation watches as family divisions risk undermining traditional cohesion.
