Royal household denies King Misuzulu is in hospital

The Zulu royal household has dismissed reports that King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has been admitted to hospital, saying it has no knowledge of such claims. Speaking toThe Witness, royal spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu said the matter had not been brought to the attention of the family. “As the royal household, we have not heard about this, and I cannot engage further on the matter because we are currently preparing for a funeral,” he said.

He added that cultural protocols limit his proximity to the King during this period. “By culture, I should not be near the King when we are preparing for a funeral,” he explained. The denial comes amid growing speculation that the monarch was admitted to a private hospital in Durban after returning from eSwatini, where he attended birthday celebrations for Mswati III.

Sources close to the royal court have claimed that the King fell ill after the trip and is receiving medical care, with some alleging he is in intensive care. Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs said it had taken note of the reports, despite the royal household’s position. Committee chairperson Marlaine Nair extended well wishes to the monarch. “We extend our sincere well wishes to His Majesty and wish him strength and a full and speedy recovery,” she said.