The Zulu king's widow challenged his will as forged, and his successor's recognition went to South Africa's highest court

King Goodwill Zwelithini ruled the Zulu nation for 50 years, had six wives and was sole trustee of the Ingonyama Trust, which holds about 2.8 million hectares of KwaZulu-Natal^†. He died on 12 March 2021. His will named his third wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, as regent. She died six weeks later, and her will named her son Misuzulu as king. Goodwill's first wife, Queen Sibongile Dlamini, went to court claiming the will was forged and that she was entitled to half the estate under her civil marriage. The Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed her challenge in 2022^†. President Ramaphosa recognised Misuzulu in March 2022. His half-brother Prince Simakade sued. In December 2023 the Pretoria High Court found the recognition unlawful. In October 2025 the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled it lawful. In February 2026 the Constitutional Court refused Simakade leave to appeal. Misuzulu holds the throne and the trusteeship of the Ingonyama Trust land.