SOUTH African Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini condemned attacks on foreign nationals as he tried to deflect criticism that his comments last month fuelled violence that left at least seven people dead.

Immigrants must be protected, irrespective of their nationalities, Zwelithini told thousands of members of South Africa’s biggest ethnic group at a stadium in the eastern port city of Durban.

Authorities must investigate the possibility of a “third force,” which is instigating the violence under the guise of Zulus, he said.

Giving Zulus a bad name

The monarch got a lot of stick after he was cited by the Durban-based Mercury newspaper on March 23 as saying in a speech that foreigners were depriving South Africans of economic opportunities and should return home. While the king’s office said his comments were misinterpreted, Johannesburg-based ENCA has broadcast an audio recording, which it said was Zwelithini speaking in Zulu, calling on immigrants to “take their bags and go back to where they come from.”

“There are many vile things being written in the news about me and the Zulu people,” Zwelithini, who was this time dressed in a formal business suit and tie, told his supporters on Monday. “I ask you to calm down and have peace as many people have died and I ask you to avoid the trap being set.”

Attacks against immigrants that began in Durban and surrounding townships less than two weeks ago spread to Johannesburg last week. A Mozambican man’s murder in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18 was captured by photographs on the front page of the Sunday Times yesterday.

In January, at least six people died during attacks and looting of shops owned by mainly Somalis, Ethiopians and Pakistanis in townships around Johannesburg.

“Whether it be in rural or urban areas I ask all to adhere to the rule of law and show that we know how to behave,” Zwelithini said. “We are a nation that loves peace. I ask for peace to reign, dear Zulu people.”

He called for representatives of foreign nationals and the government to meet with the monarch to draw up a peace accord over the next three months.

Buthelezi speaks out

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leader of South Africa’s Inkatha Freedom Party and a member of the Zulu royal family, also called for an end to attacks against immigrants. Buthelezi took a critical view of the attacks much earlier.

“Chasing out other nations will not solve our problems because they are our problems,” he told the crowd.

Several Zulu members in the crowd wore traditional garb, such as animal skins, and sang and danced with spears.

The anti-foreigner violence is the worst since 2008, when about 60 people were killed. The tension comes against the backdrop of a weakening economy and a 24% jobless rate.

While the government blames criminals rather than xenophobia for much of the violence, the presence of thousands of immigrants in South African townships has stoked resentment among some locals who see them as competitors for jobs and housing.

President Jacob Zuma canceled a state visit to Indonesia this week and visited a displacement camp for foreign nationals in Durban on the weekend to reassure them that the government was doing all it can to resolve the violence.

Governments from Nigeria to Zimbabwe and Malawi have condemned the violence and called on South African authorities to take decisive action to contain it.

Companies including Sasol Ltd. and Kenmare Resources Plc have repatriated South African employees working in Mozambique following threats of reprisal attacks, as concerns spiralled that South African businesses operating in sub-Saharan Africa would suffer.

http://m.mgafrica.com/article/2015-04-20-as-africa-watches-zulu-king-finally-calls-for-end-to-south-african-attacks-on-african-nationals-blames-third-force#.VTXZftoo9zQ

Lalasticlala

...

He has seen thermal!

The Monarch has finally realised his Folly...

Too late

It is easy to start a war, but to end it is a very big problem

Yeyenatu

I wonder why they start xenophobia.they easily 4get dat dey are colonised by de foreiners,it is foreiners dat develop SA 2dae.Thank God he has realise that wat dey did is wrong.

Fool. The bigger fools are the ones who hang on the every word of an ignorant traditional ruler.

With these attacks going on, the South Africans are prepping a time bomb that will bring down their country. In fact, the timer is already counting down and approaching zero unless they cut the red wire on time.

Weyrey

So soon they've forgotten Apartheid killing the nationals that help in liberating them from their master.

Stupid man!

This should have come much earlier.

If only Oba Akiolu could do the same.

That will not stop him from facing the ICC

King Akiolu Zwelithini, the problem you are facing is not your fellow africans its within the inside of you. And that is the "Ability to confront and fight those whites within you" Anyways Whether you like it or not you are facing the icc

These monarchs should be careful with their utterances... this was exactly what the Oba of Lagos almost started.



They should arrest his dumb aSs...

tit for tat


uncircumcised philistine Ismael king

dat fvcking king iz a FOOOL

Wish this old ugly leopard very slow and painful death

With all due respect so this man's senses went for holidays before now. Smh

Illiteracy and poverty are brothers from zulu clan.

R.i.p to the dead......those involved in the killings wont go unpunished.

When will his brother Oba Akiolu denounce his speech also?

the mumu jxt get sense ....will he raise d dead?

He's a bastard.

Lol

Unfortunately, Mandela is no more; let me ask: who is ruling SA? ZUMA or the Zulu king? na wa o

Let him raise the dead, heal the maimed, and refund material things that have been lost...then I'll know he means business. Yeye king!!!