President Cyril Ramaphosa will appeal the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria decision, which found that he had unlawfully certified King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as head of the Zulu monarchy in October last year.

On Monday, Judge Norman Davis instructed Ramaphosa to set up an investigative committee to probe the allegations that King Misuzulu was not identified for his position in line with Zulu customary laws and customs.

The ruling followed an application by King Misuzulu's half-brother, Simakade kaZwelithini, and his uncle, Mbonisi kaBhekuzulu.

Princes Simakade and Mbonisi argued that due process was not followed in the AmaZulu royal family before King Misuzulu was identified for the throne.

In his judgment, Davis specified that his ruling was not about who should be the Zulu King.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said he had studied the judgment and would seek leave to appeal.

"During the course of these legal processes, His Majesty King Misuzulu remains the identified heir to the throne."

Ramaphosa further urged all members of the "royal family to continue working for the unity of ubukhosi bakwaZulu [the Zulu kingdom] and to prioritise the interest of His Majesty's subjects."

He added it was "vital that all due processes are allowed to reach their natural conclusion without inflaming tensions."