Balancing the bull: Smit NO v His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini Kabhekuzulu [2010] JOL 25699 (KZP)

Abstract

Smit v His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini Kabhekuzulu concerned the Zulu ceremony of Ukweshwama, which includes the slaughtering of a bull. The controversy surrounding the ceremony arose because the applicants requested that the slaughter be interdicted. The applicant claimed that the slaughter was contrary to the Animal Protection Act and the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Further, that it infringed their right to freedom of, inter alia, conscience and belief, and finally that interdicting the slaughter was in the public interest.