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.
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