ZULU monarch Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu has lambasted the moral decay in the nation, which he says made him ashamed of being called a king.
"I am ashamed of being called the king of this nation," the monarch said during a St Faith Anglican Church morning service in Durban yesterday.
"The Zulu nation is respected worldwide, but what has been happening in recent times leaves me ashamed. I no longer have the pride of being the king of one of the world's greatest nations.
The king cited "shameful" incidents, such as, "when young children rape grannies".
He highlighted incidents in which two grannies, aged 94 and 82, were raped in Swayimane within a week.
A 28-year-old habitual criminal, who was released from jail, under President Jacob Zuma's special remission, was arrested for the alleged rape of the 94-year-old.
In the other incident a 26-year-old man was arrested for the alleged rape of an 82-year-old woman. The man was arrested in Westville Prison, where he was facing a robbery charge.
King Zwelithini asked: "Are we a nation that gives birth to human beings, or animals?"
"Our children make us feel ashamed of being their parents. I don' t like being associated with unemployment or poverty because it has nothing to do with that.
"It's purely moral decay because we now have females who rape young boys.
"This calls for the Christian community to pray hard. Pray as though it's your last day. Satan is taking charge of our young people."
The king is in Durban for a week-long interaction with various stakeholders to discuss socioeconomic development issues affecting- not only the people of the Zulu nation, but the whole of KwaZulu-Natal.
Today he is expected to visit the eNduduzweni Children's Home in Umlazi, for a day with HIV-Aids infected and affected children.
Tonight, the king will be hosted by eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC).
Former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda, is also expected to attend.
On Wednesday the king will address a special Council meeting at the City Hall, to highlight the importance of culture.
On Thursday King Zwelithini is expected to attend the unveiling of his mother, Queen Thomozile Jezangani Ka Ndwandwe's tombstone in Cato Manor.
This will be followed by the Queen Thomozile Memorial Lecture, which is expected to be delivered by President Jacob Zuma at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
On Friday the king will meet traditional leaders at Umbumbulu to discuss rural development .
King Zwelithini decries country's moral decadence
ZULU monarch Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu has lambasted the moral decay in the nation, which he says made him ashamed of being called a king.
"I am ashamed of being called the king of this nation," the monarch said during a St Faith Anglican Church morning service in Durban yesterday.
"The Zulu nation is respected worldwide, but what has been happening in recent times leaves me ashamed. I no longer have the pride of being the king of one of the world's greatest nations.
The king cited "shameful" incidents, such as, "when young children rape grannies".
He highlighted incidents in which two grannies, aged 94 and 82, were raped in Swayimane within a week.
A 28-year-old habitual criminal, who was released from jail, under President Jacob Zuma's special remission, was arrested for the alleged rape of the 94-year-old.
In the other incident a 26-year-old man was arrested for the alleged rape of an 82-year-old woman. The man was arrested in Westville Prison, where he was facing a robbery charge.
King Zwelithini asked: "Are we a nation that gives birth to human beings, or animals?"
"Our children make us feel ashamed of being their parents. I don' t like being associated with unemployment or poverty because it has nothing to do with that.
"It's purely moral decay because we now have females who rape young boys.
"This calls for the Christian community to pray hard. Pray as though it's your last day. Satan is taking charge of our young people."
The king is in Durban for a week-long interaction with various stakeholders to discuss socioeconomic development issues affecting- not only the people of the Zulu nation, but the whole of KwaZulu-Natal.
Today he is expected to visit the eNduduzweni Children's Home in Umlazi, for a day with HIV-Aids infected and affected children.
Tonight, the king will be hosted by eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC).
Former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda, is also expected to attend.
On Wednesday the king will address a special Council meeting at the City Hall, to highlight the importance of culture.
On Thursday King Zwelithini is expected to attend the unveiling of his mother, Queen Thomozile Jezangani Ka Ndwandwe's tombstone in Cato Manor.
This will be followed by the Queen Thomozile Memorial Lecture, which is expected to be delivered by President Jacob Zuma at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
On Friday the king will meet traditional leaders at Umbumbulu to discuss rural development .
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