By Sihle Mavuso
The Zulu royal household has rejected calls for King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to intervene publicly in ongoing protests against illegal immigrants, saying the issue is a national matter and should not be framed as one involving the AmaZulu alone.
In a statement issued on Thursday, royal family spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu said it was concerning that some commentators and media reports were calling on the King to make a public pronouncement while portraying the protests as a “Zulu matter”.
“We note with serious concern the reckless narrative being pushed by certain media outlets and individuals who seek to frame concerns about illegal foreign nationals as a ‘Zulu matter’ and to demand a statement from the Zulu King alone,” Zulu said.
He said South Africans from different communities and provinces were exercising their constitutional right to raise concerns about issues affecting their communities.
“These marches are happening across all provinces, in all eleven official languages, and involve citizens from every nation and traditional community in this country,” he said.
Zulu said it was inaccurate and divisive to single out the Zulu monarch.
“Every nation has its own King and leadership. To deliberately single out AmaZulu and His Majesty the Zulu King is a racial target of the highest order. It is divisive, it is inaccurate, and it will not be tolerated,” he said.
He questioned why similar demands were not being directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa or provincial governments.
“Where are the same questions for the President of the Republic? Where are the questions for the 9 Provincial Premiers? Where are the demands for political parties who have remained silent? The issue is national, not tribal. Hands off AmaZulu. Hands off our King,” he further said in the statement.
According to Zulu, the debate should focus on the impact of illegal immigration on South Africa’s resources, public services and security.
“That is the elephant in the room. Attempts to shift blame and create tribal divisions will be rejected with the firmness they deserve. Our King is a Symbol of unity, peace and the strength of the Nation,” he said.
“He understands the rights and privileges of the society, and therefore, the King won’t be moved by (the) noise of the media. We warn media houses and commentators: Report facts, not fiction. Do not manufacture tribal conflict for clicks and headlines. We will not stand by while AmaZulu (Zulus) are used as scapegoats for a national challenge.”
Zulu also warned media organisations against what he described as attempts to create tribal divisions for sensational headlines.
The remarks come amid renewed debate over the role of traditional leaders in discussions on immigration and social tensions.
In 2015, the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini sparked controversy when, during a gathering in Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal, he called on illegal immigrants to leave South Africa, saying people should return to their home countries.
Critics linked the remarks to xenophobic violence that later erupted in Durban and other parts of the province, forcing some foreign nationals, including Malawians and Mozambicans, to flee.
The King denied responsibility for the violence, saying his comments had been misinterpreted.
A subsequent investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission found that the King’s remarks were “hurtful and harmful” but did not constitute hate speech.
The commission concluded that the speech was not the cause of the violence that followed.
Meanwhile, the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has said, only the King has the right to command Zulu regiments.
His comment comes after suspicions that the regiments were being used during the protests targeting illegal immigrants.
Buthelezi said this on Tuesday.
However, on Friday, Buthelezi told the media in Ulundi that Nkosikhona Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba and Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma are pursuing programmes that are known by the monarch.
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