A senior member of the Zulu royal family who is close to King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has reportedly been assassinated in KwaNongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
It is understood the prince was gunned down on Thursday evening.
According to Newzroom Afrika, the individual was a senior royal family member and the king’s confidant.
While details of the shooting remain unclear, there were several posts on Twitter about the killing.
“The member was a key royal figure among those who helped King Misuzulu to fully settle in the contested throne,” tweeted Sihle Mavuso.
ALSO READ: Questions raised about killing of King Misuzulu’s confidant
Coronation
The incident comes after Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s coronation last month.
The coronation was the King’s official recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa that signified his legitimacy as the reigning monarch of the AmaZulu.
The monarch was given his certificate of recognition by Ramaphosa, in front of thousands of his subjects at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
King’s confidant killed
This is the second incident in which someone close to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was reportedly killed.
In September, a senior member of the Usuthu Traditional Council, and close confidant of King Misuzulu KaZwelithini, was also allegedly assassinated.
Dr Dumisani Blasius Khumalo was shot dead shortly after attending the reed dance in Nongoma.
He was described as a “pillar” that shaped many communities in KwaZulu-Natal.
ALSO READ: Misuzulu completes coronation ceremony, announced as Zulu king
