"We demand R10 million compensation, but people must understand that money is not the issue here because one can't put a price on the Zulu nation's dignity"

THE Equality Court yesterday postponed Ukhozi FM DJ Ngizwenkosi Mchunu's R10 million "discrimination and defamation" lawsuit against Durban's King Shaka International Airport, Customs and Excise and the Department of Agriculture to "give all parties time to prepare".

Mchunu, who co-hosts the traditional maskandi music programme Sigiya Ngengoma on Saturdays, claims he was "humiliated" when airport security officials allegedly confiscated his traditional shield (Ihawu) and threatened to destroy it in April because it "carried foot and mouth disease".

Mchunu was clad in his traditional regalia and was accompanied by Zulu warriors, also clad in traditional attire, to court. Representatives of the Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini, were also present. Mchunu's lawyer, Mbuyiselwa July, said the reason for the postponement was that all the parties were not ready to proceed.

"The court postponed the case after it emerged that ACSA (Airports Company of SA) responded very late to our allegations and that other respondents did not receive the affidavit. Also, the Department of Agriculture kept on referring us to video clips which we have not seen. So the court gave us until August 24 to exchange papers and affidavits.

"Whoever wants to make submissions will have to make them and a trial date will then be set," said July.

July again stressed that his client was "very upset" at the treatment from airport security.

"We demand R10 million compensation, but people must understand that money is not the issue here because one can't put a price on the Zulu nation's dignity. Also, we are convinced that my client's rights were violated," he said.