Ramaphosa and Zikalala thrown into the Zulu Royal Family’s legal debacle
They are respondents in an urgent court application filed by late King’s first wife
By CELANI SIKHAKHANE
The president of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and KwaZulu-Natal premier, Sihle Zikalala have been thrust into the centre of the Zulu Royal family war.
According to Founding Affidavit papers which were filed to the high court as an urgent matter by the first wife of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, Queen Sibongile MaDlamini Zulu of Khethomthandayo Royal Palace, Ramaphosa and Zikalala have been instructed not to recognize the status of the recently late Regent, Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi MaDlamini Zulu.
Ramaphosa and Zikalala are cited as seventeenth and eighteenth respondents. Queen Sibongile (the applicant) feels that the Will which was made by King Zwelithini in 2016 tried to undermine her marital status.
They married in community of property in December 1969.
“Interdict and restrain the Seventeenth and Eighteenth respondents from enforcing and putting into effect any decisions that may have already been taken to appoint or recommend the appointment of the Second Respondent Queen Mantfombi or any Respondent Queens as a regent or successor to the throne by giving effect to the Will pending the finalisation of this application,” reads the Founding Affidavit .
She instructed the court to obtain an order directing the Seventeenth Respondent to furnish and deliver to the Applicant’s attorneys the last list (if any) of the Zulu Royal Family which was signed and submitted by the late Isilo to the office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal as contemplated in the provisions of Section 4 (1) of the Royal Household Trust Act.
Queen Sibongile wants the court to obtain leave of this court to publish the order in the Ilanga, Isolezwe and Mercury newspapers so that any person or persons who are not cited herein and whose membership of the Umndeni WeSilo, who is unknown to the Applicant and who has a direct and substantial interest in the application or whose rights are or will be affected by the orders sought.
Zikalala has since been quoted saying the matter has been passed on to their legal department and are awaiting advice from them on how to go ahead from here.
