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image captionKing Goodwill Zwelithini was on the throne for almost 50 years
The Zulu monarchy in South Africa has been plunged into controversy following the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini and - weeks later - the regent.
It has led to a vicious power struggle for the throne - royals are fighting it out in court, hurling insults in public, and fuelling rumours of the poisoning of rivals.
The BBC s Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg looks at some of the key players in the royal drama:
Father of the nation: King Goodwill Zwelithini
Born on 14 July 1948, he was the eighth monarch of the Zulu nation. Before he could take over from his father in 1971, he was forced to go into hiding for three years following death threats.
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Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has dec
ried allegations that the queen was poisoned.
Buthelezi has lashed out at siblings of King Goodwill Zwelithini, saying they appear to consider themselves the royal family .
Traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarchy and nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, has lashed out at King Goodwill Zwelithini s siblings, saying that they appear to consider themselves the royal family . I am deeply disturbed and angered by comments made during an impromptu press conference convened by two siblings of the late king, Prince Mbonisi and Princess Thembi, who appear to consider themselves the royal family , he said on Monday morning.
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Statement by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Inkosi of the Buthelezi Clan and Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation
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Statement by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Inkosi of the Buthelezi Clan and Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation
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Dlamini-Zulu passed away on Thursday, 29 April and tributes have been pouring in since the news broke.
PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI ASKS FOR SPACE AND PRIVACY
Since King Goodwill Zwelithini’s passing speculations and questions about who is next in line for the throne were mounting until the late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu was instated as the king’s replacement for three months.
“People should stop speculating about who is going to be next in line for the throne; the public should respect the king’s children, allow them to mourn the sad passing of their parents instead of focusing on the next king regent.”