His Majesty King MiSuZulu kaZwelithini has commended KwaZulu-Natal’s police management led by KZN Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for fighting crime in the province and also called for the province to invite traditional institutions to participate in an upcoming crime summit so that the security and rural safety will be addressed.
The King was addressing the KZN Legislature in Pietermaritzburg ahead of the maiden State of The Province Address (Sopa) by KZN Premier Thami Ntuli on Wednesday.
The Zulu King said the issue of security and safety in rural areas must be put on the agenda and urged that the education sector be included since violence is rife in schools, rendering learners and teachers unsafe.
Recently the province has learnt with shock of a Grade R teacher who was gunned down at Phikiswayo Primary School in front of her learners.
A Grade 10 learner in KwaNongoma in Northern KZN is kept under police guard for stabbing to death a Grade 12 learner at Isihlahlasenkosi High School in the Musa area.
King MiSuZulu said the discussions during the summit should deliberate on the reason why we have crime in the first place.
“This question is crucial because there is a risk of pointing fingers or focusing on major crimes, while ignoring everyday criminal activities. Bribing officials and law enforcement officers is a crime. Stealing funds earmarked for public services is a crime. Racial and gender discrimination is a crime. Not maintaining your children when you can do so is a crime, ” said the Zulu King.
He also touched on the recent visit by Premier Ntuli with his government which is a tradition in the province.
The King commended Premier Ntuli’s strategy of consulting with the communities as the provincial of national unity aims to bring transformation to the people of the province.
The recent polls did not give any political party an outright majority resulting in the African National Congress, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the National Freedom Party and the Democratic Alliance forming the government of provincial unity in the province.
The Kind added that commends consultations “because communication is crucial in all our work.I advised in the discussion that there should be a willingness to hear each other’s viewpoints, even from those who hold different views.
“To the political leaders, and Members of this House, I congratulate you on your election. Those who elected you did so because they trusted you. Remember, now that you are a member of this House, you represent all of us.
As the Seventh KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, you have a crucial role to play. Five years is not a long time. I urge you to work hard and without pause. I also ask that you continue developing yourselves to be better skilled by the end of this term”.
The King also outlined that he is aware that as the Crown Head and uBukhosi he has to play a role in uplifting the province economically through tourism, co-operative governance, and fighting crime.
King MisuZulu urged the KZN government to give uBukhosi an appropriate role while asking amakhosi and izinduna not
to resist changes “that our times necessitate”.