King Zulo, South Africa's most powerful customary ruler, whose coronation in October 2022 sparked a clan war within the royal family, was hospitalized in nearby Eswatini, with the palace reporting a possible poisoning.

In a statement released on Saturday evening, the Royal Palace said that Misuzulu Zulu, 48, also known as Misuzulu kaZwelithini, "was hospitalized in Eswatini after falling ill" on the morning of the same day.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Zulu prime minister and an influential member of the royal family, said in the statement that the Zulu king's hospitalization followed the sudden death of his top advisor, and he expressed "great concern".

"[The King's advisor] died suddenly and it was suspected that he had been poisoned. When His Majesty began to feel ill, it was suspected that he had also been poisoned," explained Buthelezi.

The king preferred to seek treatment in Eswatini, formerly Swaziland and Africa's last absolute monarchy, rather than in South Africa, where his parents "were treated and died".

"Her Majesty has been placed under medical care and is in good health," the palace said, adding that it would leave it to the authorities to investigate a possible case of poisoning.

According to various police sources in Eswatini, the ruler is being treated at the private hospital in Ezulwini, a few kilometers from the royal residence of Ludzidzini - the Royal Village of Ludzidzini is home to the House of Dlamini, the royal family of Eswatini, currently led by Ngwenyama Mswati III and Ndlovukati Ntfombi.

"Roadblocks and armed agents have been set up at the hospital," one of the sources told the France-Presse news agency (AFP).

In South Africa, sovereigns and traditional chiefs are recognized by the Constitution. Although they are kings without executive powers, they exercise a profound moral authority and are revered by their people.

Misuzulu Zulu was crowned last year in the south-eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, at a ceremony attended by many of the country's 11 million or so Zulus, almost one in five South Africans.

Son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and one of the favorites, the coronation triggered a palace war led in particular by the former king's first wife, who had six wives and at least 28 children.

In September 2022, a Misuzulu Zulu councillor was mysteriously shot dead on the sidelines of a traditional ceremony.