Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini wants a palace for his sixth wife Queen Zola Mafu

South Africa’s Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini wants the government to spend $700,000 on a palace for his sixth wife, officials say.

Queen Zola Mafu, who is his youngest wife, is sharing a palace.

The KwaZulu Natal government, one of nine provincial administrations, has already budgeted about $6.9 million for the royal family this year.

Opposition parties have previously accused the king, his wives and more than 25 children of lavish spending.

King Goodwill Zwelithini, as leader of South Africa’s largest ethnic group, is an extremely influential traditional leader in the country.

Royal household department chief financial officer, Mduduzi Mthembu, told a parliamentary committee that a further $700,000 was needed to build Queen Zola Mafu’s palace.

The department also wanted $1.4 million to upgrade Queen MaMchiza’s palace, he said.

Funding for the accommodation would be spread over three years, said Mduduzi Mthembu.

MPs on the committee said they would consider the request later this month.

Queen Zola Mafu made headlines in 2004 when, as a 14-year-old, she first appeared in public with King Goodwill Zwelithini.

In 2008, opposition parties criticized King Goodwill Zwelithini’s wives for spending about $24,000 on linen, designer clothes and costly holidays.

The royal palaces are in different parts of Nongoma, a rural area about 300 km (185 miles) north of Durban, the main city in KwaZulu Natal.