Johannesburg - Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s son is breaking the law by working for Swaziland’s army, the Johannesburg-based Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), an exiled opposition group, claimed on Wednesday.
SSN spokesman, Lucky Lukhele, also slammed Zwelithini for his “shocking declaration” that all foreigners should be deported, noting that two of the king’s wives were Swazi born and “live on South Africans’ taxes”. They were Zola Mafu and Mantfombi Dlamini.
“As if that was not enough hypocrisy, Zwelithini’s son, Mandlesizwe Zulu, is an employee of the Swazi army.”
However, spokesman for the Zulu royal household, Prince Thulani Zulu, could not confirm this morning if Prince Mandlesizwe worked for the Swazi army.
Lukhele said Zwelithini’s reasoning for wanting all foreigners deported was because they competed with South Africans for local economic opportunities. But the king’s son being employed by the Swazi army “is not only a case of a South African being allowed to compete with Swazis for jobs, but violates South Africa’s laws.
“According to South African law, a South African cannot be a member of a foreign country’s armed forces. Zwelithini’s son is not a member of the SANDF and therefore cannot be deployed to any army in any capacity.
“He is breaking the law and ought to be arrested and charged.”
Lukhele said it was unfortunate that the king had not clarified which foreigners he was referring to “because investors from all over the world have been participating in South Africa’s economy since the discovery of gold in the country.
“Our guess is that he was referring to African nationals who have been victims of mob attacks from township dwellers.
“As to how a man of such stature can inflame hatred among Africans with such ignorant rhetoric is truly alarming.
“South Africa is a signatory to treaties which allow foreigners to live and work in the country, having fled their politically volatile homes… These Africans have the dignity to work for their income.”
Independent Foreign Service