‘Let’s fight poverty, crime’

from The Sowetan

Canaan Mdletshe

Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini has called on all political parties in KwaZulu-Natal to unite in fighting poverty and crime that is ripping the province apart.

Speaking in Pietermaritzburg yesterday during the official opening of the provincial legislature, Zwelithini said it was high time that all political parties co-operated in their fight for the betterment of the poor people.

“All of us have a duty to make the lives of our people better. Starvation goes with poverty. Poverty is caused by unemployment and meagre wages, laziness, failure to use one’s income wisely and economically,” he said.

He said poverty and hunger had become entrenched among the black people for a long time, so much so that some blacks, and even whites, think that black people were always poor.

“We were never poor. We would harvest our crops and the surplus would be given to those who were poor or did not have a good harvest.

“Poverty and starvation have come as a result of conflict, migration and infiltration by other nations,” he said.

Zwelithini also called on individuals to fight crime.

“There has never been a time in our lives where our people have been this fear-stricken. It does not make sense that now, after attaining our freedom, people will have their cattle stolen at night and are left with nothing.

“Children and the elderly are robbed of their cellphones, cars and money. People are even scared to come to their rescue for fear of being harmed. People break the law in broad daylight and in full view of everyone,” said Zwelithini.

He also touched on the ongoing electricity problems, saying rural hospitals and rural people are in danger because they cannot afford to buy power generators, which puts the lives of patients in danger.

The King also challenged amakhosi to play their role in fighting HIV-Aids.