2023-07-02 10:29:14
The Zulu king, South Africa’s most powerful customary ruler, but whose coronation last year sparked a clan war within the royal family, has been hospitalized in neighboring Eswatini, with the palace citing possible poisoning .
Misuzulu Zulu, 48, also known as Misuzulu kaZwelithini, “was hospitalized in Eswatini following falling ill earlier in the day,” the royal palace said in a statement released overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
His hospitalization came following the sudden death of his main adviser, continues in the press release Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Zulu Prime Minister and influential member of the royal family, expressing his “great concern”.
The king’s adviser “died suddenly and it is suspected that he was poisoned”, explains Mr Buthelezi. “When Her Majesty began to feel unwell, she suspected she too had been poisoned.”
The king preferred to seek treatment in Eswatini, the last absolute monarchy in Africa, rather than in South Africa where both his parents “were treated and died”.
“It appears that Her Majesty has been placed under medical attention and is doing well,” said the palace, adding that authorities should be left to investigate if necessary.
According to several police sources in Eswatini, the sovereign is being treated at the private hospital of Ezulwini, a few kilometers from the royal residence of Ludzidzini.
In South Africa, sovereigns and traditional chiefs are recognized by the Constitution. Kings without executive power, they wield deep moral authority and are revered by their people.
Misuzulu Zulu was crowned last year in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (southeast) during a ceremony with great fanfare to which the country’s eleven million Zulus, almost one in five South Africans, were invited .
The son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and a favourite, his coronation sparked a palace war waged in particular by the former king’s first wife who had six wives and at least 28 children.
In September, a Misuzulu Zulu councilor was mysteriously shot and killed on the sidelines of a traditional ceremony.
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