SAHRC releases preliminiary findings following its probe into alleged utterances by King Zwelithini

MEDIA STATEMENT

27th November 2015

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has completed its preliminary investigation into the alleged utterances by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini. The utterances are alleged to have been made by the King during a moral regeneration event in Pongola northern KwaZulu-Natal on or about the 15th March 2015.

The Commission received 31 different complaints in the months between April and June 2015 through its provincial offices. The complainants allege that the utterances made by the King amounted to hate speech against foreign nationals. While some linked the utterances to the subsequent violent attacks against foreigners.

The Commission has now completed its investigation, and has prepared its preliminary report in this regard. This preliminary report will be served on the respondent (the King), and the 31 complainants this coming Monday 30th November 2015.
This process is an opportunity for the complainants and the respondent to comment on the preliminary findings and recommendations of the Commission, before the Commission issues the final report.

The Commission has given the parties an opportunity to provide feedback, or comments, if any, at the latest, by the end of January 2016. The Commission expects to release the final report in to this investigation by the end of February 2016.

The Commission will not be entertaining any requests for comments, interviews, or discussions on this preliminary report. This will be done only when the final report is released.

ENDS

Issued by the SA Human Rights Commission