Published on : 18/09/2022 – 23:42
Dumisani Khumalo was assassinated on the night of Saturday September 17 to Sunday September 18. He had been an adviser to Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March 2021, and was also that of his son, Misuzulu Zulu, whose rise to the throne is disputed. Explanations.
With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Roman Song
Dumisani Khumalo was returning from the reed dance when he was killed outside his home by several gunmen. Opponents of the Zulu king had predicted a bloodbath if this traditional festival celebrating the virginity of young women were to be held. Ten thousand people had nevertheless gathered in Nongoma, in the province of KwaZuu-Natal, for this great first public ceremony since the coronation of the new king Misuzulu Zulu end of August.
Provincial officials from the ruling ANC party denounced an act of cowardice and lamented the death of a pillar of the royal family. Right-hand man and adviser of the former king Goodwill Zwelithini, Dumisani Khumalo had helped his son Misuzulu to ascend to the throne. KwaZulu-Natal province is notorious for political killings.
This death does not bode well, with the approach of a major ceremony to be held in the Durban stadium. On October 29, the President Cyril Ramaphosa must give the new king the certificate that officially recognizes his coronation. The question is whether the president’s seal will end the succession war that has been raging since the death of the former king Goodwill Zwelithiniwho ruled for 50 years.