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The South Africa’s provincial government in KwaZulu-Natal has announced plans to build a new palace for the Zulu
United States has said it is “deeply troubled” by the passing in Ghana of a stringent monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini
anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which it says threatens constitutional The KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube made the announcement
freedoms. during her State of the Province Address on Wednesday.
“The The plan for a new palace is in line with Zulu customs that
bill would also undermine Ghana’s valuable public health, media and civic dictate that the king’s residence should not be in his late father’s palace,
spaces, and economy,” the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said local media report.
in a statement. Ms Dube-Ncube in her speech said she was encouraged
It by the cordial relations between her government and the Zulu king.
has called for the “review of the constitutionality of the bill”. “In consultation with His Majesty, we are
The new bill passed on Wednesday imposes finalising plans to build a new palace for the king in Nongoma,” she
a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as said.
LGBTQ+. It also imposes a maximum five-year jail She added that the government would continue to
term for forming or funding LGBTQ+ groups. “provide administrative and logistical support” to the reigning king, just as
The passing of the bill has been criticised it did with the late monarch.
by rights organisations and other groups. It comes amid a continued legal dispute challenging
Rightify Ghana strongly condemned “this regressive the king’s legitimacy.
legislation, which poses a grave threat to the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ In December, a court ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa's official crowning
individuals in the country”. of the new Zulu king last year was "unlawful and invalid".
UNAids executive director Winnie Byanyima It ordered an inquiry into whether the king’s
said the bill, if it becomes law, could incite violence by Ghanaians against their fellow citizens. accession to the throne was in line with customary laws.
She said that it will “obstruct access to life-saving services, More on the Zulu monarchy:
undercut social protection, and jeopardise Ghana's development The pomp and celebrations as new Zulu king crowned
success." Zulu royals and rebels - the fight for the throne
The bill will be presented to President Death of a Zulu king: 'He is planted, not buried'
Nana Akufo-Addo after which he’ll have seven days to sign it into law or refuse
to assent to it, according to Ghana’s constitution.
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