Cultural expert labelled an enemy of the Zulu nation by King Misuzulu; now he's living in fear

A recent declaration by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini that Professor Musa Xulu is an enemy of the Zulu nation​ has caused Professor Xulu to express fears for his life following the king's statements.

During the Reed Dance festival on Saturday, the visibly angry king publicly attacked Professor Xulu, the cultural expert, labelling him "umquba" (a useless person) and accusing him of opposing his kingship.

While the King did not specify the reasons for his condemnation, it is believed to be in response to Professor Xulu's criticism regarding the relocation of the Reed Dance festival.

Professor Xulu had publicly questioned the King's decision to move the event from Enyokeni Palace, where a R140 million amphitheatre, specifically requested by the late King Zwelithini for the Reed Dance, had recently been completed using taxpayer funds.

Professor Xulu had voiced his concerns on SABC TV earlier that day, criticising the abandonment of this public infrastructure.

During his address, the king criticised the public broadcaster for interviewing Xulu, who he described as having been critical of his rule since his ascension.

The king also issued a warning to Xulu, stating that the Zulu nation is angered by his actions and that by insulting the king, he is also insulting all Zulu people.

Reacting to the attack on Sunday, Xulu said he regarded the king’s utterances as a direct order to the Zulus, particularly amabutho, to attack him. He stated that when a king publicly declares a person the enemy of his subjects, clearly it is an incitement of violence against that person.

“This was a clear call to the Zulu nation to attack me, so I fear for my life. The king declared war against me. As a commander of amabutho, his utterances were a direct instruction to them to attack me. I am an expert and was giving my opinion, so if you don’t agree with my argument, you present the counter-argument not resorting to war,” said Zulu.

The king’s spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu said he is unable to say anything about what the king said because the king was speaking his mind.

“What am I expected to say because the king has said what he said? I don’t think I can say anything about the king’s speech,” said Zulu.

Xulu also crossed paths with most of the conservative Africans when he defended the Constitutional Court ruling that it was unconstitutional to force women to adopt husbands' surnames after marriage. Xulu said that there was nothing wrong with men adopting wives’ clan names, arguing that surnames were a colonial invention which was introduced in the population register for the purposes of annexation of clans.

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