Zulu King Files For Divorce, To Wed Third Wife

As a result of what AmaZulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has called “a disintegrated marriage”, he has filed papers to institute divorce action against one of his wives.

The papers filed in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg state that there are no assets and liabilities in the joint estate worth mentioning, and the parties have already divided their personal belongings between themselves.

The queen, who News24 won’t name to protect the children, has filed a notice of intention to defend the divorce action. News24 is in possession of these papers.

According to the king, the marriage has reached a state of disintegration with no reasonable prospect of being restored.

“Aside from communication regarding issues concerning the parties’ children, there is no meaningful communication between the parties.

“The parties have, on several occasions, experienced trouble with their marriage and tried to restore the relationship without success. The parties have not lived together as husband and wife for a continuous period of at least one year immediately prior to the date of the institution of the action,” says the king in the court papers.

The papers also outline spousal maintenance for the queen and the king’s sole responsibility for the maintenance of the children.

“The plaintiff (the king) tenders to the defendant (the queen) rehabilitative maintenance in the amount of R20 000 for a period of 12 months from the date on which the decree of divorce is granted.”

The king also seeks an order that the queen be liable for costs should she defend the divorce action.

Cluster leader of African languages and linguistics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an expert on Zulu culture, Dr Gugu Mazibuko, weighed in on the divorce, which is a first in the Zulu royal household.

She said:

Traditionally, in a polygamous household, if a wife has done something wrong, she is not sent home or divorced; she would be built a home elsewhere but still be part of the family, and she would be required to perform a ceremony in apology of her wrong actions.

“With modernisation, even monarchies operate under the Constitution; everyone has the right to exercise their rights; we are living in a time where traditions are now challenged by modernisation,” she said.

Mazibuko said tradition and culture have changed with time.

“Things have changed in any household due to cultures evolving with the times.”

Unconfirmed reports suggest the king will hold a marriage ceremony on 26 January for Queen Nomzamo Myeni (third wife), whom he has paid lobola (bride price) for.