The African National Congress has condemned the behaviour of some Zulu royal family members who disrupted King Goodwill Zwelithini's speech at a book launch in Durban.
KwaZulu-Natal ANC spokesman Sizwe Shezi said on Wednesday that a group led by royal family members carried placards and were noisy as the king delivered his speech on Monday.
The group was protesting against the contents of the book Umongo KaZulu - about the Zulu nation's history - written by Prince Zeblon Zulu.
"The ANC has learnt with shock and disgust about the behaviour of these people who insulted and disrespected his majesty the king," said Shezi.
The launch, which was hosted by the office of the premier, was attended by prominent people including Premier Sibusiso Ndebele, ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma and historians.
"We are disgusted by this barbaric behaviour and disrespect these people have shown to the king and the entire Zulu nation," he said.
Although the congress accepted that some people might disagree with the views of the book's author, that did not give them the right to humiliate and disrespect King Zwelithini.
"We view the protest as a direct attack (on) the king and traditional leadership," said Shezi.
It has been exactly ten years since the king,s royal residence in Embelebeleni, KwaMashu was attacked and his daughter was killed.
"The humiliation of his majesty the king takes place at a time when the king remembers his daughter who died during this attack," said Shezi.
The ANC extended its support to the king and assured him that it would never support any action that disrespected him.
"We call on these hot-heads especially their leaders to publicly apologise to his majesty and the entire Zulu nation," he said. - Sapa