Late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu’s first wife and daughters contest his last will

The first wife of the late AmaZulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and two of her daughters have filed a new application to contest his last will and testament. They have previously filed separate applications, but those were withdrawn. The new application came before Judge Rishi Seegobin in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday.

Before the matter could be heard the court was adjourned to allow the legal representatives of all the parties to agree on a timeline for the filing of court documents. Legal representative for the applicants Mondli Thusini says Queen Dlamini-Zulu is entitled to half of the late King’s estate as they were married in community of property.

Princesses Ntandoyesizwe and Ntombizosuthu are challenging the authenticity of the signature of the King in the will. They believe the signature was forged, which means the new King cannot be installed until the matter is resolved.

The SABC is in possession of one of the responding affidavits on behalf of three of the respondents.

They are traditional Prime Minister of the AmaZulu nation Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the late Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, as the executor of the estate, and King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.

Buthelezi argues that despite the dispute over the validity of the King’s will, the AmaZulu royal family took the decision to recognise the late Queen as the Regent and Prince Misuzulu Zulu as the successor to the throne.

Judge Rishi Seegobin postponed the matter and ruled that the other respondents have until the 18th of June to file their papers.