King Misuzulu coronation postponed as KZN recovers from deadly floods

Misuzulu's ascendence to the throne was mired by controversy last year when a faction in the royal household contested his mother, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu's will which nominated him as the preferred successor to the throne.

The late regent died in April last year, only weeks after the of death of her husband King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu.

Dramatic scenes unfolded at the public reading of the late regent's last will and testament followed by a legal battle.

Queen Sibongile Dlamini, the king's first wife, demanded 50 percent of the estate while her two of her daughters launched a bid to stop Misuzulu's coronation until the will had been verified verified.

But last month, the High Court in Pietermaritzburg cleared the way for Prince Misuzulu to be crowned the next Zulu king.

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Prince Mbonisi Zulu, the brother of the late King Goodwill, also filed papers to stop the pending coronation but the court again threw out the last-ditch application.

Despite the go-ahead, King Misuzulu will have to wait a little longer as KZN continues with mop-up operations following deadly floods.

"As our nation mourns the loss of lives, homes and property due to the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, our focus now must be on healing, rebuilding and restoring what has been lost. In this time of tremendous pain and grief, His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has expressed his strong conviction that the celebration of his coronation should be postponed," said traditional Prime Minister to the amaZulu nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Friday.

"At his request, I conveyed this to His Excellency President Ramaphosa on Wednesday afternoon. That evening, before he had even had sight of my letter, the President called to express the very same sentiments. Today the President has formally responded to my letter, confirming his agreement with His Majesty's decision and indicating that a new date should be discussed, beyond May 2022."

A new date is yet to be established.

The floods in KZN claimed more than 430 lives and left critical infrastructure and property in ruins.

The Eastern Cape was also not spared with roads and bridges collapsed.

A national state of disaster was later declared.