Prince Simakade Zulu still defiant, despite Constitutional Court ruling affirming Misuzulu as king

AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has been confirmed by the Constitutional Court as the legitimate monarch. Cultural and legal experts have urged Prince Simakade Zulu to accept the Constitutional Court ruling that confirmedking Misuzuluas legitimate AmaZulu monarch or face serious consequences, including arrest. On Friday, the Apex court rejected Simakade’s application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) affirmation ofPresident Cyril Ramaphosa’srecognition of King Misuzulu as king of the Zulu nation.

The court found that Simakade has no prospect of successfully appealing the SCA’s October 2025 ruling. In the judgment, Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo and his seven colleagues said the court had concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of success on the merits of the application for leave to appeal. However, through his spokesperson Prince Thokozani Zulu, Simakade rejected the ruling, saying that he would continue to be recognised as the real king because his appointment followed correct traditional steps, which included the ceremony of entering the kraal.

Weighing in on the ruling, legal expert attorney Talent Mhlongo said Simakade’s defiance of the Constitutional Court ruling could have serious consequences, including a jail term. Mhlongo said that if Simakade continues to act as a king, he would be in contempt of court which is a criminal offence and President Cyril Ramaphosa, king Misuzulu or even a non-governmental organisation could take him to court. “It is advisable for Prince Simakade to just let it go and live with the reality that he will never become king of AmaZulu. He must counsel himself because continuing to act as a king could lead to contempt of court,” said Mhlongo.