No state funeral, King Zwelithini will be buried at night in private ceremony

This came to light following a closed-door family meeting attended by his children, wives and other family members.

Prime Minister in the royal family, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi says while President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the King would receive a category one special funeral, the king himself wanted a private burial.

Thursday's planned state funeral will now be a memorial service for the Zulu Monarch.

“We had a very long meeting and it was decided that it was the king’s wish that he be buried privately, at night and by men only. That decision was taken last night. That confirms the wishes of the king,” Buthelezi said.

He says soon after that meeting a relative then contacted the president’s office behind their back to share the king’s wishes.

“One of the sons in law who was present at the meeting, contacted the presidency and indicated to the royal family, quite clearly it will no longer be a state funeral, it will be a memorial service. The burial, I cannot comment on, it is a private matter of the royal family,” Buthelezi said.