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Probe into Zulu king almost done

Investigations into Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini's call for all foreign nationals to be kicked out of South Africa are at an advanced stage.

SA Human Rights Commission spokesman Isaac Mangena said the investigations were nearly finalised.

The commission received complaints from all nine provinces.

The king was criticised for the widespread xenophobic attacks that hit KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the country in March.

Zwelithini reportedly said certain countries playing a role in South Africa's struggle for liberation "should not be used as an excuse to create a situation where foreigners are allowed to inconvenience locals".

"I know you were in their countries during the struggle for liberation. But the fact of the matter is you did not set up businesses in their countries," he said.

His comments earned him widespread condemnation and some lodged complaints with the commission.

"We had close to 30 complaints, most of which were asking that we investigate the king's alleged utterances but some were requesting (that) we generally probe the issue of xenophobia," Mangena said.

The commission got in touch with the king through his office and visited KwaZulu-Natal three times .

"I can say every person involved or implicated and who can help us in our investigation (was spoken to)," Mangena said.

He said the outcomes and recommendations would be communicated to citizens once the report was released.

Following the comments by the king, Swaziland Solidarity Network's spokesman Lucky Lukhele labelled Zwelithini a "hypocrite and lunatic. He must start in his own house. He must deport those two women [his wives Zola Mafu and Mantfombi Dlamini]."

Zwelithini married Dlamini, the sister of Swaziland's King Mswati, in 1973 and married Mafu in July last year.

Inkosi Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela said Zwelithini's statements were irresponsible.

Lawyers for Human Rights strategic litigation programme head David Cote said research conducted by universities and other organisations in South Africa had shown that foreign nationals "in fact contribute to the economy and are not the drain which has been the perception".

mashabas@sowetan.co.za