South African king reveals xenophobia plan: Malawi immigrants beware!

A South African Zulu King who whose statement fuelled the recent xenophobia attacks which led to death of seven Malawians and many other foreign nationals, King Goodwill Zwelithini has issued a set of instructions to traditional leaders on the processes to follow when foreigners want to settle in their areas.

A South African online publication iol.co.za says Zwelithini called on traditional leaders to make sure that foreigners had legal documents that allowed them to be in the country.

He said foreigners who wanted to settle on land controlled by the Ingonyama Trust should also be introduced to him in the company of the ambassadors of their countries.

The king was addressing traditional leaders from across the province during the opening of the House of Traditional Leaders in Ulundi on Thursday.

Traditional leaders from other provinces also attended.

“Once the foreigners are introduced to you, there should be a way of bringing them to the royal palace. They should be accompanied by ambassadors from their countries,” King Zwelithini said.

He would soon meet community safety and liaison MEC Willies Mchunu to talk about the formation of the KwaZulu-Natal Public Peace Process, which he announced during a peace imbizo at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, on April 20.

“I wish this peace agreement to be signed by every affected country (whose citizens are foreigners in the country).

“I need every traditional leader to have personal details of foreigners living under their territories.”

He said locals who wanted to accommodate foreigners should get permission from a traditional leader. In addition:

* The traditional leader should ensure that the foreigner had the right documents to be in the country and double check the authenticity of those documents.

* Once the traditional leader was satisfied with the documents’ authenticity, he should go to a police station and Home Affairs office to get a stamp, which would allow the foreigner to settle in an area and ensure the terms of the arrangement were not breached.

* The municipalities, Home Affairs and police should ensure that foreigners who wanted to run a business did so under strict guidelines.

* The Ingonyama Trust Board should provide guidelines on allocating land to foreigners.

* Traditional leaders should attend a workshop on laws governing foreigners.

* The various levels of the government should come up with guidelines before June 25.

The king also asked Premier Senzo Mchunu to organise a meeting between himself, traditional leaders, the government and ambassadors to talk about the xenophobic attacks, illegal immigrants and the relationship between KwaZulu-Natal and affected countries.

“I also appeal to (Home Affairs) Minister (Malusi) Gigaba (State Security Minister David) Mahlobo and (Police Minister Nathi) Nhleko to assist with training of traditional leaders on how to accommodate foreign nationals,” he said.

“I say this because I know that foreign nationals in any country are controlled under international laws. We need to understand the details of these laws.”

King Zwelithini said this would help foreigners and locals to live in harmony and understand each other’s culture.

“On the other hand, we are going to teach foreigners about our culture and way of life.”

He again denied having called on foreigners to pack their belongings and leave South Africa during a speech in Pongola in March. It was widely reported that he said that foreigners were changing the country’s culture and were taking over the local economy.

The SA Human Rights Commission is investigating complaints, including that the Pongola speech constituted hate speech and violation of the right to life.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!