South Africa: Zulu king who incited violence against Nigerians dies at 72

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By Ismail Auwal

 

The Zulu King behind the inciment against Nigerians in South Africa, King Goodwill Zwelithini, has died at age 72. His cousin, the Zulu Prime Minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, confirmed in a statement on Friday.

“Tragically, while still in hospital, His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse and he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning,” the statement read.

The king was admitted to an intensive care unit for diabetes treatment in a KwaZulu-Natal hospital last month, according to local media.

There had been rumors about the Zulu leader’s death since his hospital admission, which his aides had reportedly been denying.

The late king’s infamous comments of “head lice should be squashed and foreigners should pack their belongings and leave the country” have been often said to be the ignition to xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.

He was then blamed for igniting attacks on foreigners, resulting in at least seven deaths.
Tthe 72-year-old king — who has six wives and stands accused of an extravagant lifestyle at the cost of the South African taxpayer, since traditional leaders are all supported by the government. In 2012, he was quoted as saying gay people were “rotten,” going against the spirit of South Africa’s liberal and much-heralded constitution.

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