Zulu king: Attacks on foreigners not my fault

01 April 2015 - 02:59 By Matthew Savides and Taschica Pillay

Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini has distanced himself from attacks on foreigners in Durban over the past two days, saying they were the work of opportunists. At a moral regeneration event in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, two weeks ago, Zwelithini allegedly said that the government should send foreigners back home - prompting an investigation by the Human Rights Commission.Yesterday, Zwelithini, through the Royal Household Trust, denied making the comments. He said that the newspapers had "twisted" what he had said.But, in the wake of the comments, foreigners - many of them Congolese small business owners - were stoned, stabbed and beaten in Isipingo, south of Durban. The attackers echoed Zwelithini's alleged comments during the violence, which started on Monday.Trust chairman Judge Jerome Ngwenya said that Zwelithini departed from his written speech, and said in Zulu that the country's borders were weakly policed and so made the country a haven for illegal immigrants."He then urged the police to apply the law firmer [sic] and catch those who violate the country's laws coming from outside and return them to whence they come. We find nothing offensive [about] this, nor anything xenophobic in it or about it," said Ngwenya.But, according to a police officer, as many as 250 foreigners were camped at the station because they were scared of being killed.Congolese mother-of-two Coco Bishogo who was chased out of her hair salon, said: "They said if we don't go, we shall remain here with dead people. I joined others and ran to the police station. I returned to my shop to find everything stolen."She said they were concerned about the whereabouts of a fellow Congolese national, who was allegedly stabbed and bundled into a car yesterday morning.Ngwenya said Zwelithini had heard about the violence."It is regretted that the unfortunate inaccurate reporting by the media is now being abused by some opportunists claiming it is the king's call," said Ngwenya...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.