King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has urged the Zulu nation to reject violence against foreign nationals as tensions over migration continue in KwaZulu-Natal.
The king made the plea during the 12th International Day of Yoga at the Durban Amphitheatre on Sunday morning.
He said people should not be attacked, even when communities are frustrated about undocumented migrants.
“I’m asking you, Zulus, let no blood be shed. Do not hit these people. Suffering brought them here. Just as we suffer,” King Misuzulu said.
He said he had spoken to Phakel’umthakathi and Ngizwe Mchunu, and stressed that “no one must be beaten”.
“No one wants to feel pain,” he said.
King speaks on migration
King Misuzulu said South Africa’s image in Africa was not looking good, but added that the situation was not entirely the country’s fault.
He said South Africans could also not travel to other countries without documents.
“We do not want anyone without papers in this country, because we also cannot go to their countries without papers,” he said.
The king said migration was often driven by hardship, as people searched for better lives and ways to support their families.
He also linked the message of peace to the yoga event, saying yoga represented peace and unity.
Premier condemns deadly attack
The king’s comments came after KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli condemned the killing of a Malawian national and the assault of two others at the Jika Joe informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg.
The provincial government said a march of more than 2 000 people had started at Dales Park and ended at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall without incident.
However, a group allegedly broke away afterwards and went to the informal settlement, where one Malawian man was killed and two others were seriously injured.
Ntuli said the killing was “deeply regrettable and unacceptable”.
He said peaceful protest was a constitutional right, but violence and mob justice could not be justified.
Authorities move migrants
The Msunduzi Municipality said it is relocating immigrants from a temporary unofficial site to a designated facility in Durban.
It said a Joint Operations Committee had been activated with government departments, law enforcement and Malawi’s Consul General.
The municipality said security had been deployed, while water had been provided for immediate needs.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said close to 4 000 people had already been deported or repatriated.
He said 20 buses had been made available to speed up repatriation.