In brief
A video that spread across social media captured South Africa’s Zulu king, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, shouting at his wife, Queen Nomzamo Myeni. In the clip, he accused her of an affair, threatened physical harm and demanded she leave the house. A statement from the royal office called the incident a painful lapse and said it reflected past rather than current conditions in the palace. The breach has stirred debate online, with some condemning the king’s abusive language and others questioning the queen’s decision to publicise a private moment. The incident also highlights lasting tensions within the Zulu kingdom, including disputes over succession, polygamy and earlier legal battles involving the king’s earlier wife.
A video that appeared on Wednesday showed the Zulu king of South Africa, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, shouting at his third wife, Queen Nomzamo Myeni. The clip captured the king calling her an affair partner, saying he would assault her, and demanding she leave the house. The queen, who was filming, remained silent until the end, when she declared, ‘This is the life I live, day and night’.
A statement issued from the royal office recognized that the outburst caused pain and embarrassment in the royal household and within the Zulu community. It added that the recording represented a historical event that does not reflect present circumstances.
In the video, the king also accused the queen of leaving the house without permission, reminding her that a wife should ask for approval before going out. He later stated that a girlfriend was waiting for him and that he wanted the queen gone. He abruptly exited the room after the tirade.
Despite his ceremonial role, the king wields considerable influence, supported by a government budget of millions. The incident has split online conversations: some viewers denounce the king’s abusive language; others feel the queen should not have exposed private matters. South African journalist Asanda Magaqa remarked that she could understand why the queen felt compelled to record the moment.
The footage also revealed the king mentioning how he became a monarch through witchcraft. Misuzulu’s coronation followed a year‑long family feud, during which some royals questioned his rightful succession and claimed his father’s will had been forged. The king’s marriage to Queen Myeni was delayed in 2025 when the king’s first wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela, challenged the wedding on the grounds of bigamy. The court dismissed the claim, noting that the king had already agreed to take other wives.
Such drama is set against a broader backdrop of gender‑based violence in South Africa, one of the world’s highest rates. Last year the country declared GBV a national disaster.
The video’s release has reignited questions about the role of tradition, the dynamics of polygamy, and how public missteps from royalty impact perception of rule and human rights. The royal house’s statement stresses that the situation is now one of reconciliation and reflection.
