KwaZulu-Natal premier‚ Senzo Mchunu‚ has announced that King Goodwill Zwelithini has called an imbizo of traditional leaders for Monday.

Mchunu said: “Last night (Thursday night)‚ his majesty took a decision that he would like to call an imbizo on Monday.”

He added that government would be involved‚ “This is a gathering of people where government is going to play a role.”

Zwelithini is expected to use the meeting to stop the rising tide of xenophobia following his statement that foreigners should leave the country that they were “lice“.

Commentators have attributed the latest spate of xenophobic violence‚ concentrated in Durban and Pietermaritzburg‚ to the remarks‚ which have been cited by several of those involved in the attacks.

Zwelithini has since said that he was referring to those in the country illegally and that he had been misquoted by the media.