- Ekurhuleni chief whip Pelisa Nkunjana asked King Misuzulu in Pongola on Thursday for help from his regiments in Ekurhuleni hostels.
- King Misuzulu urged his regiments to protect women and children after 12 women were killed around Ekurhuleni since July.
Women in Ekurhuleni are living in fear after police found the bodies of 12 murdered women since July.
The killings have forced the Ekurhuleni metro council to ask for outside help. Councillor Pelisa Nkunjana visited King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at the eMashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola on Thursday.
Nkunjana serves as the chief whip of the council. She asked the king to use his generals based in Ekurhuleni hostels to protect women and children.
King Misuzulu agreed to help. He told his regiments to step in and keep communities safe. He also asked for programmes to help stressed men get counselling before they turn to violence.
Ndebele traditional leaders from Ekurhuleni and Bronkhorstspruit joined the meeting. They said they already work closely with the Zulu regiments.
The King’s Private Office said the meeting showed why council leaders must work with traditional leaders to solve local problems.
Police are still looking for answers. They have counted 12 dead women since 15 July. Most of the bodies were found in Ekurhuleni, and one was found in Soweto.
Officers say they cannot rule out a serial killer, but they have not confirmed one yet. They have found no link between the latest victim, who was shot dead in Tembisa, and the other murders.
One of the victims was Elizabeth Moselakgomo. The runner left her Kempton Park home on 9 September for a run and never returned. People found her body three days later behind a local hotel.
The king has faced his own criticism about the treatment of women. A leaked video in July showed him arguing with Queen Nomzamo kaMyeni. The group Sonke Gender Justice said his words showed signs of misogyny.
In September, the king told the Reed Dance crowd that he is tired of marches while the violence continues.
