Amakhosi open to foreigners, not abusers

KWAZULU-Natal amakhosi yesterday called on their communities to live side-by-side with foreigners, but cautioned the government that failure to control borders would turn the country into a “banana republic”.

Amakhosi made the call after holding a meeting on Monday and Tuesday to discuss attacks on foreigners, gender-based violence and the burning issue of the Ingonyama Trust Act, which is facing repeal.

Addressing the media in Durban, KZN House of Traditional Leaders chairperson Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza said amakhosi were happy with immigrants living in their villages. “Having said that, we want to appeal to the government to ensure that regulations for effective control of the influx of foreigners are adhered to within the confines of the law and our country’s sovereignty.

“The government clearly needs to tighten border controls to ensure that those who do enter our country are in possession of the correct documents,” said Chiliza.

Amakhosi made the resolution ahead of an imbizo to be addressed by King Goodwill Zwelithini in Joburg, which was called to address the spate of attacks on foreigners in Gauteng.

The date has not been confirmed. He said amakhosi felt the failure to control borders was downgrading the country’s sovereignty.

With President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to meet his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari in Pretoria today to discuss the attacks and looting of shops belonging to foreigners, Chiliza said amakhosi felt Ramaphosa should integrate them into finding a solution.

“This matter will never be solved by a meeting of presidents, it should be solved on the ground.”

Chiliza also said amakhosi had resolved that convicted rapists or those who killed women should be expelled from their villages after they had served their sentences.