They say he paused and turned to face other honoured guests. "Dignitaries," King Zwelithini said to Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, KwaZulu-Natal community and liaison MEC Willies Mchunu and Catholic priest Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, "you will have to forgive me in this situation."I have to speak out because I don't have to wait five years [for votes]."As the king of the Zulu nation, which freed Africa, the time has come for me to say I am tired of being led by people [politicians] who have no views."He then returned to reading out his prepared speech, calling on the government to "assist us", presumably in getting rid of foreigners."We urge all foreigners to pack their bags and leave," the king said.The king made these utterances on Friday during a "moral regeneration" meeting at the Pongola Country Club, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.According to Isolezwe journalist Mthokozisi Manqele's account of the gathering, most in the marquee applauded approvingly as the king spoke.But a few seemed shocked by his words.But if the king sensed any discomfort in the crowd he didn't show it as he continued to blast immigrants."As I speak, the shops and streets are a mish-mash of rubbish goods. You can't even recognise a shop that you used to know as they have all been taken over by foreigners."He shifted his venom towards South Africans in a series of statements that in their bigotry would have vindicated racists like Cecil John Rhodes.He blamed South Africans for being "too lazy" and for disregarding the law, and for being thieves and racists. It was because of the locals' laziness, the king said, that "other nations were now saying 'Let's go and squander the fools' inheritance'".What has Rhodes got to do with all this, you wonder?Well, as prime minister of the Cape in the 1880s he told his parliament that turning "natives" into cheap labour will "remove them from that life of sloth and laziness".So yes, the king is in good company.We live in a constitutional democracy and the monarch, just like all other traditional leaders across the country, has no real executive powers.It is tempting to dismiss and ignore his statements as the ill-thought-out remarks of a ceremonial leader trying to be relevant.But King Zwelithini enjoys much support among his subjects and, to most of them, his word carries the weight of authority.His call for foreigners to leave the country might just encourage a new round of xenophobic attacks because those loyal to him would see it as permission to act out their "frustrations" in respect of foreigners who have "come here to steal" their jobs.Hatred of foreigners, particularly those who come from other African countries, is a real problem in South Africa.No leader, no matter his status, should be allowed to make xenophobic remarks unchallenged.The monarch should withdraw his remarks immediately.He owes the nation, and scores of African foreigners already living in terror because of attacks, an unqualified apology...