THE Zulu throne contender Prince Simakade kaZwelithini, who has been calling himself the Zulu king, has finally visited Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi's family to mourn with them.
His visit on Monday, 25 September, comes after the death of Prince Buthelezi on 9 September.
Prince Simakade, who also goes by the name king Zondamagwala, was supposed to visit the Buthelezi family on Tuesday, 19 September after the funeral. But he cancelled his visit after the Buthelezi clan regent Mpikayise Buthelezi said they would only welcome him as the prince, not as a king.
When he arrived on Monday, he received a royal welcome as Prince Buthelezi’s son, Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi, saluted him. He even said Wena weNdlovu but at the end, Prince Zuzifa said Ndabezitha, not Bayede, as Bayede only refers to the Zulu king.
The Buthelezi family also slaughtered a cow to cleanse Prince Simakade as they did for King Misuzulu when he visited them last Monday, 18 September.
In the video taken when Prince Simakade arrived at the Buthelezi home, he was heard saying he is determined to protect the Buthelezi family while others were saying Bayede to him.
“We will protect you. We want to protect Prince Magogo’s things. Don’t be afraid. I won’t go into details.
“I feel emotional when I’m in this house because I normally stayed with Prince Mangosuthu, during the nights when we are alone. That's why when something happened, I said I will not invite the curse to him. Prince died when he had cleaned his name. I was not expecting him to come to me and say something because I’m his grandchild,” he said.
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Daily Sun contacted Buthelezi clan regent Mpikayise Buthelezi, but his phone was off.
Prince Simakade and Prince Mangosuthu became closer before King Zwelithini’s funeral in 2021, and some of the Zulu royal houses were accusing Prince Mangosuthu of pushing Prince Simakade to be a king.
All changed after Prince Mangosuthu supported king Misuzulu to ascend the throne and Prince Simakade took the battle to court.
The case to dethrone Misuzulu brought by Prince Simakade was heard in May and postponed to October after Prince Mangosuthu didn’t sign the affidavit to support Misuzulu after they had a rift with him over the Ingonyama Trust Board new chairman, Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela.
The case will be heard in the North Gauteng High Court from 16 to 18 October 2023.
