King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini has intervened in the ongoing public spat between locals and foreign nationals in KwaZulu-Natal over the admission of undocumented foreign national children in local schools.
On Wednesday morning, there was a tense standoff between police and locals who were supported by March and March leaders, along with Operation Dudula’s national leadership, demanding the admission of about 60 local pupils.
Speaking via his spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu, King Misuzulu called for calm, promising to address the issue during the Battle of Isandlwana commemoration on Thursday.
The king’s intervention was prompted by viral messages on social media platforms between locals and foreign nationals. Some of the messages carried threats where foreign nationals allegedly mobilised others to fight back.
An unverified post purportedly from a foreign national known as Boss Mungure called on all foreigners to fight back, saying nobody owns a country, only God.
This angered locals, especially Zulu regiments, who viewed it as a declaration of war.
In a recorded video clip, the king’s spokesperson, Prince Zulu, said it was these kinds of provocative messages that drew the attention of amabutho, and the king felt that he should get involved and address the matter before it got out of hand.
“King subjects, His Majesty has directed me to inform you that he has noted the provocative messages that suggest that there is a problem going on between you and foreign nationals. The king urges you to calm down until he addresses the nation about the issue at the Battle of Isandlwana commemoration on Thursday,” said Zulu.
There has been an ongoing pushback by locals against illegal immigrants who are flocking into the country. However, the new debate was sparked by the allegations that the Addington Primary School principal, who is said to be a Zimbabwean national, gave first preference to the undocumented foreign children, leaving several local children out of the school, last week.
This drew the anger of local parents who appealed to March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who organised a protest outside the school during the start of the academic year last week.
