Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for peace and restraint amid growing tensions surrounding illegal immigration in South Africa, urging communities not to resort to violence or take the law into their own hands.
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The monarch’s appeal comes as anti-immigration sentiment continues to gain traction in some parts of the country, with concerns over undocumented migrants and calls for stricter border controls dominating public discourse.
King Misuzulu engages protest leaders
Speaking during the International Day of Yoga celebrations in Durban, King Misuzulu revealed that he had personally engaged with anti-illegal immigration activists Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona ‘Phakel’umthakathi’ Ndabandaba, urging them to ensure that no foreign nationals are attacked.
“I spoke to Phakel’umthakathi and Ngizwe. No one must be beaten. No one wants to feel pain,” the King said, stressing that while concerns over undocumented migration are valid, violence is unacceptable.
King Misuzulu said he had spoken to Ngizwe Mchunu and Phakelamthakathi, urging them not to attack undocumented foreign nationals.
He also pleaded with South Africans to refrain from such attacks, saying many foreigners are in the country due to poverty in their home countries pic.twitter.com/Njxuja9GDT
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) June 21, 2026
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Violence is not the answer
The King acknowledged frustrations around illegal immigration, saying South Africans do not want people without documentation in the country. However, he urged citizens to remember that many migrants are driven by poverty and are seeking better opportunities for their families.
“We are not looking good in the whole of Africa right now,” he said, adding that attacks on foreign nationals tarnish South Africa’s image on the continent and could expose South Africans travelling elsewhere in Africa to hostility, reported The Herald.
Growing tensions ahead of 30 June
The King’s remarks come ahead of planned anti-immigration demonstrations scheduled for 30 June 2026. The government has distanced itself from calls by civilian groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country, saying such ultimatums have no legal standing.
Call for unity and social cohesion
King Misuzulu appealed for unity and compassion, emphasising that complex issues such as illegal immigration require lawful solutions rather than vigilantism.
He urged South Africans to allow government and law enforcement agencies the space to address the issue while maintaining peace and respecting human dignity.
As debate over illegal immigration intensifies, the Zulu monarch’s message has been clear: “Let no blood be shed.”
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