Lerato Mbhiza
Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for peace and tolerance among political parties during the election period.
The Zulu Monarch made the appeal during an address at the Oval Cricket Stadium in Pietermaritzburg where he officially opened the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on Tuesday.
The address comes ahead of Wednesday’s State of the Province Address.
The King, who was joined by KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, addressed some 2000 dignitaries inside the chambers.
Recently, Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed that at least 52 councilors have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal since 2011.
“The killing of Amakhosi needs to come to a stop immediately,” the King said.
“We are a province of peace and understanding. I call upon all the law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute criminals who are giving our beautiful province a bad name.
“I have declared the year 2024 to be the year of peace, unity, revival, pride and dignity among the Zulus and the province of KwaZulu-Natal.”
Political parties have been campaigning, with the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) holding their manifesto rallies in the last few weeks.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) will launch their manifestos on Saturday.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) will be at Moses Mabhida stadium on March 10 for its manifesto launch. Both the ANC and EFF were at the same venue.
King Misuzulu said political parties have to exercise tolerance in the elections.
A few week’s ago, there were tensions between members of the ANC and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, in Pongola during by-elections.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has said there were more than 352 political parties who will contest for the 2024 National General Elections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa set 29 May as the day South Africa goes to the polls.
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