Special Report: Graceful send-off for Zulu Queen marred by legal battles and family disputes

Disputes, factionalism and legal fights has become apparent within a family that’s meant to planning the burial of late queen Mantombi Dlamini-Zulu.

As far as recognition of the wives goes we have the late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s first wife, queen Sibongile Dlamini, who is said to be to the late king under a civil rights union marriage while the other 5 wives were married to the king traditionally. 

It is on this basis that she’s now taking the position that she should be recognized as Zwelithini’s wife and therefore claim a major stake in inheritance along with other rights she believes should be afforded to her.

On the other hand following the marriage between king Goodwill Zwelithini and queen Mantombi, she would become the great queen and an heir also come from her. 

READ: Tensions brewing within Zulu Royal family

Her eldest son Prince Misuzulu had been widely speculated to take over the throne following the king’s passing. 

This means a legal battle has just started brewing.

A legal contestation of the late king’s will has been brought forward by his two daughters, Princess Ntombizosuthu and Princess Ntandoyenkosi. 

They are saying the will left behind by their father is not legitimate and that his signature is possibly forged. While the will and its contents have not been disclosed however it’s widely speculated it possibly favours the great queen Mantombi as opposed to his first wife queen Sibongile who also is pushing a legal challenge.

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She’s to legally argue that she’s entitled to half the late king’s estate as they are married in community of property. She’s also said to be fighting for a greater stake in other areas such as the R79 million annual budget allocated to the royal house.

The legal battles don’t end there. They also speak to the matter of a successor to the throne.

It is believed that the faction of the royal family is said to approach the courts to argue who should be the rightful heir to the throne. As it stands Prince Misizulu had been openly speculated to occupy the throne once the mourning period has been concluded. 

However, it will be remembered that King Goodwill Zwelithini’s eldest son, Lethukuthula, was last year found murdered in a Joburg apartment and left behind his son. 

It is understood that this faction of the family is now arguing that it’s Prince Lethukuthula’s son who should ascend to the throne once he comes of age – meaning a regent would stand in till then.

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Royal family members are not the only important figures being sidelined in these developments, so too is Prime Minister in the Zulu royal house, Mangosuthu Buthelezi. 

Not long ago he made it publicly known that after the late queen Mantombi had taken up regency some members of the family were holding their meetings and having discussions. It’s possible that by saying this he was also hinting at tensions within the royal family that are now playing out in the public domain. 

Following this, he’s now also spoken out against the current in-fighting saying it’s heartbreaking. One could only speculate if him being sideline was part of the reason that he did not make his way to the late queen’s residence this weekend as he had expected to.

Some members of the royal family have attempted to set the record straight on some of the public speculation such as that queen Mantombi was poisoned. Following hours of behind-closed-door talks, some sibling of the late King Zwelithini spoke out last night saying they are not killers. They say the alleged poisoning is now being pinned on them as part of a wider narrative to discredit them.

Further developments expected to take place today include an expected visit from senior IFP members as well as COGTA Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Newswatch’s Steve Bhengu has filed this report: