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South Africa's Royal Scandal: New Zulu King's Claim Disputed

Associated Press

   CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - A new Zulu king was named in South Africa
   amid scenes of chaos after members of the royal family questioned
   Prince Misuzulu Zulu's claim to the title following his father's death,
   and bodyguards suddenly whisked him away from the public announcement
   at a palace.

   The controversy over the next king, a largely ceremonial role but one
   with great significance for South Africa and its 12 million Zulu
   people, arose after the death in March of King Goodwill Zwelithini, who
   had reigned since 1968.

   Zwelithini apparently named one of his six wives, Queen Mantfombi
   Shiyiwe Dlamini Zulu, as the "regent of the Zulu kingdom" in his will,
   but she died after holding the title for only a month, throwing the
   royal succession into turmoil.

   The commotion broke out Friday night at the reading of Queen
   Mantfombi's will and hours after a memorial service for her. The
   queen's will named Prince Misuzulu, 46, her eldest son with King
   Zwelithini, as the heir and next king.

   But another prince objected and interrupted the announcement at the
   KwaKhangelamankenganeRoyal Palace in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal
   province. Two princesses also have questioned whether the late king's
   will gave Queen Mantfombi the right to nominate a successor upon her
   death.

   King Zwelithini reportedly had 28 children with his different wives,
   and Queen Mantfombi was not his first wife. A dispute over succession
   had been brewing since the late king's death, fascinating many South
   Africans with their very own royal scandal.

   Vast assets

   Significant to the dispute is the fate of the king's assets and the
   vast amounts of land traditionally owned by the Zulu people and now
   held in a trust. Estimates say the trust controls nearly 30% of the
   land in KwaZulu-Natal province, or around 28,000 square kilometers
   (10,810 square miles). The king is the sole trustee.

   Earlier on Friday, Prince Misuzulu, who wore a traditional leopard-skin
   headband reserved for royalty and chiefs, called for unity among the
   Zulu royals at his mother's memorial service.

   "We have no doubt we will unite as a family," he said in a message read
   out by his younger sister, Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu. "Let us emulate
   the king by being peaceful."

   The Zulu king has no political or even constitutional position, but his
   traditional authority is recognized in KwaZulu-Natal, where he is said
   to "reign but not rule." More than that, the king holds an important
   role in bridging the gap between traditional customs and modern
   democracy in South Africa, where Zulus are the largest ethnic group
   among the country's 60 million people.

   Forbes put King Zwelithini's net worth at nearly $20 million, while the
   Zulu royal household is given an annual budget of around $5 million by
   the South African government.

   King Zwelithini, who had diabetes, reportedly died from a
   COVID-19-related illness at age 72.