Goodwill Zwelithini
Photo by: Reuters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is finalising its investigation into King Goodwill Zwelithini's alleged xenophobic comments.
The commission looked into complaints lodged against Zwelithini following his comments at a moral regeneration event in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, in March last year, SAHRC spokesperson Isaac Mangena said on Wednesday.
Zwelithini allegedly said that foreign nationals had to leave South Africa and return to their home countries.
A spate of xenophobic attacks erupted around Durban in April, before spreading to Johannesburg.
Mangena said the commission released its preliminary findings last November and parties to the matter, including the king and 31 complainants, had had until January 31 to provide their comments.
The commission was currently studying the replies it had received.
"This preliminary report was an opportunity for the complainants and the respondent to make inputs and comment on the preliminary findings and recommendations of the commission, before the commission issues the final report."