The DJ, the shield and the suit

The Equality Court has postponed hearing a R10-million "discrimination and defamation" lawsuit brought by Ukhozi FM DJ Ngizwenkosi Mchunu.

Mchunu is suing Durban's King Shaka International Airport, the customs and excise division of SARS, and the Department of Agriculture.

The court said the postponement would give all the parties time to prepare.

Mchunu, who co-hosts the traditional maskandi programme Sigiya Ngengoma on Saturdays, claims he was "humiliated" when airport security officers confiscated his traditional shield (ihawu) in April and threatened to destroy it because it "carried foot-and-mouth disease".

In court, Mchunu was clad in traditional regalia and was accompanied by similarly attired Zulu warriors. Representatives of Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini were also present.

"The court postponed the case," said Mchunu's lawyer, Mbuyiselwa July, "after it emerged that [the Airports Company of SA] responded late to our allegations and that other respondents did not receive the affidavit.

"The Department of Agriculture kept on referring us to video clips, which we had not seen, so the court gave us until August 24 to exchange papers and affidavits."

He said that his client was "very upset" at the treatment he had received from airport officials.

"We demand R10-million in compensation. But people must understand that money is not the issue here because one cannot put a price on the Zulu nation's dignity. Besides, we're convinced that my client's rights were violated."

Outside the court, more than 200 supporters, some carrying shields and placards, sang and chanted pro-Zulu slogans. Maskandi music groups and Mchunu's colleagues, including Nonhlanhla "Mroza" Buthelezi and Khathide Ngobe, were also among his supporters.

Royal family spokesman Prince Mbonisi Zulu said King Zwelithini and the royal family were "upset" at the treatment allegedly meted out to Mchunu.

"What is even more humiliating is that this airport is named after King Shaka, the great-grandfather of the king. The royal family views it as very demeaning to the entire Zulu nation."

eThekwini Community Church pastor and ANC MPL Vusi Dube said his church supported Mchunu. "What he did was not for himself, but for all black people, especially those proud of their beliefs and traditions.

"For many decades, wearing traditional attire was seen as [uncivilised]."

Dube said he believed President Jacob Zuma and the ANC supported the stand taken by Mchunu.

In his affidavit, Mchunu says he was dressed in full traditional Zulu attire when he boarded a plane to Dubai in April to represent South Africa as a traditional ambassador in the United Arab Emirates.

On his return, security staff at the airport confiscated his shield, saying they wanted to spray it because it "contained diseases".