Durban - King Goodwill Zwelithini has denied saying foreigners should be deported from South Africa or making xenophobic comments while speaking in Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal last week.
His alleged comments, made at a moral regeneration rally, have sparked criticism from civil society and academia.
A complaint was lodged with the Human Rights Commission earlier this week.
According to Isolezwe, the Sunday Tribune’s sister newspaper, the king had said: “We urge all foreigners to pack their bags and leave.”
The Royal Household has written to the Human Rights Commission seeking clarity on the nature of the complaints.
On Friday, Royal Household Trust chairman Judge Jerome Ngwenya said they had scrutinised Zwelithini’s speech, both the English and Zulu versions, to see whether the king had deviated from it, but he had not.
Ngwenya said the issue was blown out of proportion and that either the king was quoted out of context or the quotes attributed to him were a complete fabrication.
“His majesty was merely touching on the issue of crime and our porous borders. It is the media that is peddling wrong information.
“There was nothing in his speech where he said foreigners should leave. The king said the porous borders gave way to illegal immigrants some of which engage in criminal activities and break the country’s laws,” said Ngwenya.
Ngwenya said the king, like everyone else, was worried about the levels of crime.
“He even said when the ANC was in exile it abided by those countries’ laws and that the same is expected of foreigners.
“The king is well aware that many foreigners are here legally and are hard working people,” he said.
“It is surprising that the media ignored everything he said and concentrated on the issue of foreigners,” said Ngwenya.
Human Rights Commission spokesman Isaac Mangena said they had requested an audio clip of the speech.
“It is worth noting that in the past the commission has warned leaders to guard against utterances that may fuel attacks on asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in South Africa,” he said.
Ngwenya said the king would hold a press conference on Tuesday to clarify the issue.
Sunday Tribune