Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini has criticised people who engage in same-sex relationships, labelling them as “rotten”, according to a newspaper report on Monday.
“Traditionally, there were no people who engaged in same sex relationships. There was nothing like that and if you do it, you must know that you are rotten,” he was quoted in The Times.
“I don't care how you feel about it. If you do it, you must know that it is wrong and you are rotten. Same sex is not acceptable.”
He was speaking at Nquthu, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, during the 133rd commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana, which the Zulu regiments won.
On Sunday, Zwelithini shared the stage with President Jacob Zuma, who was criticised in 2006 for homophobic statements he made then at a Heritage Day celebration. - Sapa