News / Regional
Zulu King welcome in Matabeleland, activists say
12 Aug 2015 at 10:38hrs | Views
King Goodwill Zwelithini is reportedly set to visit Zimbabwe, with activists in Matabeleland saying he was welcome, despite xenophobic attacks in South Africa early this year that were seen as having been "instigated" by him, a report says.
The attacks saw the Zimbabwean government repatriating around 1 000 nationals.
Zwelithini is set to visit Gwanda, Matabeleland South's provincial capital, at the end of August after a South African-based Zimbabwean businessman invited him for a wedding ceremony.
The event will also coincide with the opening of a new Brethren in Christ church building in the mining town, the report said.
"What made those people leave their country for South Africa in the first place? It had nothing to do with King Goodwill Zwelithini," Mbuso Fuzwayo, an activist from the group Ibhetshu LikaZulu, was quoted as saying.
Another activist, Dumisani Mpofu, said Zwelithini owed no-one an apology, saying it was clear that African governments were failing and "must solve their problems".
This comes as many Zimbabweans continue to cross the border into South Africa for what they term "greener pastures", as the country reels under economic hardships that have seen thousands lose their jobs in the past few weeks.
The attacks saw the Zimbabwean government repatriating around 1 000 nationals.
Zwelithini is set to visit Gwanda, Matabeleland South's provincial capital, at the end of August after a South African-based Zimbabwean businessman invited him for a wedding ceremony.
The event will also coincide with the opening of a new Brethren in Christ church building in the mining town, the report said.
"What made those people leave their country for South Africa in the first place? It had nothing to do with King Goodwill Zwelithini," Mbuso Fuzwayo, an activist from the group Ibhetshu LikaZulu, was quoted as saying.
Another activist, Dumisani Mpofu, said Zwelithini owed no-one an apology, saying it was clear that African governments were failing and "must solve their problems".
This comes as many Zimbabweans continue to cross the border into South Africa for what they term "greener pastures", as the country reels under economic hardships that have seen thousands lose their jobs in the past few weeks.
Source - online
