An urgent interdict application is set to be heard at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday, as one of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s wives seeks to stop the planned wedding between the Zulu monarch and Nomzamo Myeni.
This move follows reports that the king had sent two letters, dated Saturday, one to the KwaZulu-Natal director-general and another to his right-hand man, prince Simphiwe Zulu, both bearing the king’s official letterhead, logo, and signature.
These letters, however, contradict media reports stating that the king had canceled the wedding, citing reasons that included terminating all benefits and security assigned to Myeni.
In a sh0cking twist, Myeni, the king’s third queen-to-be, refuted these claims in a telephonic interview with TimesLIVE on Sunday.
She stated that she had received no indication from the king or any member of the royal family that the wedding had been canceled. In fact, she expressed confidence that her wedding, scheduled to take place on January 26 at Kwakhangela royal palace in Ulundi, would proceed as planned.
A traditional wedding ceremony, known as an umkhehlo ceremony, was set to take place at Myeni’s home in Jozini on January 24, ahead of the grand wedding.
ALSO READ: Donald Trump set to take office as 47th President of the United States
Zulu regiments commander (amabutho) prince Vanana Zulu corroborated Myeni’s statement, stating that he was aware of no changes to the wedding plans.
The prince urged the media to spread the truth: that Myeni and the king are committed to each other, as he quipped, “Go tell those who want to go with the truth that I love my wife.”
Deputy traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, also weighed in on the matter, stating that he was only aware of the media reports but had not received any official information about the cancellation of the wedding. He confirmed that a royal family meeting was scheduled for Monday, where they hope to discuss and resolve the controversy surrounding the wedding.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal head of government communications Bongani Gina said that the premier’s office had not received any letter from the king regarding the cancellation of the wedding or the withdrawal of benefits assigned to Myeni.