Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Durban: The controversial President of the Bhinca Nation Ngizwe Mchunu is facing the Human Rights Commission after his public call for the LGBTQI community to be chased out of South Africa as he accused them of disrespecting Zulu culture by wearing the regalia of Zulu regiments. Mchunu’s video went viral this week when he openly criticised the Nhlapho wedding of two men who tied the knot in a Zulu and Xhosa tradition. Most of the best men were dressed in full Zulu regiments regalia including the groom. Mchunu, who was very angry, said they must be chased out of South Africa along with “their King Somizi Mhlongo because they are tarnishing the Zulu regiments image with their sexuality.” Mchunu has since been reported to the Human Rights Commission and is being accused of orchestrating hate speech and the murder of LGBTQI members while promoting their isolation from their Zulu culture.
Pietermaritzburg: The IFP in the KZN Legislature distances itself from the statement issued on Wednesday by the Democratic Alliance’s Marlaine Nair, Chairperson of the Traditional Affairs Portfolio Committee, rejecting the extension of pension and medical aid benefits to chiefs in KwaZulu-Natal. The IFP says rejecting the extension of these benefits to chiefs reflects a shallow understanding of the critical role they play in the governance ecosystem of our country. “It would have been preferable if the Chairperson had consulted with us before issuing such a statement, in order to determine whether this view is shared by the political parties serving on this Portfolio Committee,” the IFP said.
Nkandla: The Nkandla Regional Court has sentenced a 41-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of a 17-year-old girl. The incident took place in November 2022. The accused and the complainant were known to each other, as the complainant rented a room on the accused’s family property. In the early hours of the morning, the accused went to the complainant’s room and knocked on the door. When she opened the door, he went in and raped her. The next morning, the complainant went to school and reported the incident. She also informed her mother and the accused’s mother. She then reported the incident to the police and was taken to a local hospital for examination. The accused handed himself over to the police the following day. The court ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Pictured above: Controversial President of the Bhinca Nation Ngizwe Mchunu with former President Thabo Mbeki.
Image source: Presidency
