King Misuzulu publicly apologises after a harrowing video of his tirade was shared week ago
The footage, which was widely shared on Wednesday, shows South Africa’s Zulu king, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, ransacking a private conversation with his third wife, Queen Nomzamo Myeni, threatening physical assault, accusing her of an affair and declaring her "out of the house." The video was captured inside the regal quarters where the queen, who appears to have filmed the clip, remained silent until the end where she commented: "This is the life I live, day and night."
A statement released by the royal household on Friday recognised that the incident caused "pain" and "embarrassment" for both the royal court and the broader Zulu population. It added that the court had moved from the "difficult circumstances" of the recording to "reconciliation" and "reflection" during that day’s official engagements with politicians.
King Misuzulu, whose coronation followed a year‑long family feud over succession, also claimed to have become a monarch via witchcraft—a controversial claim that further fuels the court’s dispute. The king’s marriage to Queen Myeni, delayed amid legal claims of bigamy against his first wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela, highlights the palace’s strict patriarchal norms in which queens are expected to seek permission before leaving the residence.
South Africa’s gender‑based violence issue remains one of the key societal challenges, with a recent national disaster declaration following a spike in domestic abuse statistics. The video “has caused a sharp divide on social media—some accuse the king of abusive, undignified behaviour, while others criticise the queen for airing private matters publicly.”
The footage also captured the king’s admission that a girlfriend was waiting for him, prompting an angry demand, "I want you out," as he walked away from the room.
Apart from the political fallout, the incident underscores the resilience of the Zulu monarchy as the custodian of long‑standing traditions that frame marriage and polygamy core to royal success. Despite a ceremonial role, the king’s influence is profound, with a year‑long government‑funded budget estimated in the millions.
