Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini. “We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries...” (Photo Credit: Gallo Images/Sunday Times/Tebogo Letsie)
The charges were laid at SA Human Right Commission on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.
Three weeks ago‚ King Zwelithini said foreigners must go back to where they came from. “We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries.”
He denied the statement until media replayed a recording of it widely‚ Then the king defended his statement‚ saying the media “misinterpreted his words and distorts them to sell newspapers”.
In the past week‚ at least five people have been killed in xenophobic violence in Durban townships‚ with the violence spreading to Primrose township near Germiston‚ East of Johannesburg last night.
Tim Flack‚ spokesperson for the SA Defence Force Union‚ has laid charges of hate speech against Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini for his remarks about foreigners.
Foreigners are currently being evacuated out of Primrose area with the help of the Gauteng police.
After being stalked down a street, taunted and hit with a wrench, Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole was cornered by his attackers, stabbed in the heart and left to die on a rubbish-strewn Alexandra street early yesterday morning. The Sunday Times rushed him to Edenvale Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole after he was attacked by men in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole collapses on the pavement after he was attacked by men in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole after being attacked by men in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole tried to fend off his attackers in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole surrounded by men in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole tried to fend off his attackers in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on April 18, 2015. He later died from his wounds. (Photo Credit: James Oatway/Sunday Times)
Mozambican Ernesto Nhamuave was set alight by a mob in Ramaphosa informal settlement on the East Rand in May 2008 (Photo Credit: Halden Krog)
Nhamuave after police doused the flames consuming his body. Sixty-two people died during the wave of xenophobic attacks in 2008, an orgy of violence directed at foreigners. (Photo Credit: Halden Krog)
Xenophobia attacks continue and spread to Johannesburg | Buzz South Africa
A family flees ongoing xenophobic attacks in Ramaphosa squatter camp east of Johannesburg, South Africa, 18 May 2008. (Photo Credit: John Hrusa)
Flack laid the charges in his personal capacity with the support of the union. He said that political leaders have done little to stop the violence and people complaining about Xenophobia on social media were ineffective.
Flack said: “Twitter activists are playing hairdryer politics. I decided to do something. The king needs to account and be charged for inciting this violence.”
The Constitution protects freedom of speech but does not protect hate speech. Hate speech is defined as “propaganda for war; incitement of imminent violence; or advocacy of hatred that is based on race‚ ethnicity‚ gender or religion‚ and that constitutes incitement to cause harm”.
On Thursday‚ a peace march is taking place in Durban led by KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu and Ethekwini mayor James Nxumalo.
A peace bus carrying Johannesburg residents run by social media expert Khaya Dlanga and Shaka Sisulu left Johannesburg on Wednesday night to join the march.
President Zuma is expected to speak about xenophobia in parliament on Thursday.
