TIM FLACK, THE SPOKESPERSON FOR SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE FORCE UNION HAS LAID CHARGES OF HATE SPEACH AGAINST KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI FOR HIS REMARKS ABOUT FOREIGNERS.

During the apartheid era in South Africa, Nigeria was one of the foremost supporters of Black South African liberation movements, including the African National Congress (ANC); the Nigerian government issued more than 300 passports to South Africans seeking to travel abroad. In 1977, Sonny Okosun, a Nigerian musician, wrote a hit song "Fire in Soweto" to commemorate the 1976 Soweto uprising against white-rule in South Africa. Following the end of apartheid in 1994, South African businesses sought for professionals to immigrate, and a large number of Nigerians did so. It is estimated that there were 24,000 Nigerians living in South Africa in 2011. The increasing competition between the two countries for positions at multilateral organizations is also thought to have worsened the relations. Nigeria acted against South Africa to replace the incumbent Jean Ping, who Nigeria supports, with South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the powerful position of the African Union Chairperson (AU). The relations further deteriorated when South Africa backed incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo for control of Côte d’Ivoire in 2011. However after Dlamini-Zuma won the election Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru stated that although, Nigeria supported Jean Ping for the position of AU chairperson in "a position which was principled along with our ECOWAS members and we stood by it. But as usual, people can insinuate that once Nigeria was not in the camp of South Africa, it means that Nigeria is against South Africa. "We are not against South Africa". Ambassador Ashiru said. HUMAN RIGHTS CRITICISM. The Mandela-led ANC had been seeking to help resolve the political crisis in Nigeria since 1993 following the annulment of the Nigerian elections in June 1993. In June 1994 Nigeria's military ruler, General Sani Abacha arrested and sentenced for execution 40 political opponents including former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo as well as Chief Moshood Abiola. Mandela sent Archbishop Desmond Tutu and then Deputy President Thabo Mbeki on successive missions to Nigeria to lobby for the release of Obasanjo, Abiola and nine others. Right up until the Commonwealth Summit in 1995 Mandela was misled by Abacha into believing that there would be a stay off-execution. However, one of South Africa's first experiments with quiet diplomacy failed when in November 1995, General Abacha moved ahead with the execution of the nine Ogoni leaders including Ken Saro-Wiwa. After which South African president Mandela then publicly criticized General Abacha for human rights abuses and personally pushed for a two-year suspension of Nigeria's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. Mandela also criticized Royal Dutch Shell for going ahead with a US$4 billion gas project in Nigeria despite its unpopularity within Nigeria and the rest of the world. This led to South Africa being isolated in Africa amid accusations that it was: “anipulated" into taking up an anti-Nigerian position by "the forces of British and American imperialism". Within a month South Africa started back tracking in an attempt to patch up its relationship with other African nations; and in an attempt to regain regional prestige amongst other African governments at the expense of its international prestige. On 29 March 1995, Professor Wole Soyinka, leader of an exiled Nigerian democratic movement, attempted to hold a conference in South Africa. The South African government responded by refusing to grant any Visas to Nigerian democrats for six weeks prior to the conference. South Africa's ruling political party, the ANC, called for the conference to be cancelled. The Nigerian debacle forced South Africa into a new foreign policy approach. Leading the country to abandon a 'go it alone' policy and into a policy that sought to build partnerships with fellow African states through regional and continental bodies. It also made South Africa reluctant to engage in any confrontation with any other African states. VISA RESTRICTION AND EXPULSIONS. Relations between the two countries were damaged in 2012 when 125 Nigerian travellers to South Africa were expelled due to not having valid Yellow Fever Certificates. In retaliation Nigeria expelled 56 South African business men. This prompted the two countries to enter into discussions around easing travel and Visa restrictions between the two countries as a means of enhancing bilateral relations and trade. TRADE AND INVESTMENT. In November 2009, South Africa hosted the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission in Pretoria. At the conference, it was noted that Oando, an energy conglomerate based in Lagos had recently been listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Nigeria-based Dangote Group had invested a record $378 million in South Africa's cement industry. In 2008, approximately $2.1 billion was traded between the two countries. By 2012 total bilateral trade had increased to $3.6 billion. In 2012, 83% of trade was taken up by South African imports of Nigerian crude oil. Between 2002 and 2012 South African imports from Nigeria have increased by 75% mostly increases in oil imports, whilst Nigerian imports from South Africa have increased by 13%. The Nigeria - South Africa Chamber of Commerce serves to improve and facilitate bi-lateral trade relationships between Nigeria and South Africa. Its offices are in Lagos-Nigeria, and it has its membership in 315 companies currently trading in both Nigeria and South Africa. It is made up of blue-chip companies, Nigerian companies and South African companies. Nigerian business men have expressed concern over the pace and perceived rapid expansion of South African business interests in the country. Three (3) of the best Hotels in South Africa are owned by Nigerians, the biggest subscriber of the South African Multi Choice DSTV (Digital Satellite Television) is Nigeria with over 11million subscribers which is rated at $2million income monthly subscribtion fees. Nigeria is also one of the biggest user of the South African MTN (Mobile Telephone Network). South Africa has enjoyed enormously in the areas of revamped economic prosperity from Nigeria since the Apatheid and after; Today, it happened that; a stinking, corrupt and child abuser; King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is leading terrorist attack on Nigerian Citizens in South Africa; which its country helped in rebuilding the country that was raveged by Apatheid War. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu who happened to have more than six (6) wives with the eldest among them aged 14yrs old has been demanding payment of $700,000 monthly for each of his under-aged wives from the South African Govt. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu has cocaine confidence to ignite the killing of innocent foreigners including Nigerians. The demands for monthly payments to his wives, despite criticism that too much taxpayers money is being spent on the king, his wives, and his over 25 children. The KwaZulu Natal government, one of nine provincial administrations, has already budgeted about $6.9 million for the Zulu royal family this year. In a swift reaction, the South African Defence Spokesman has laid charges of hate speech made by King Goodwill; the son of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon. The charges were laid at South African Human Right Commission on Wednesday. Three weeks ago‚ King Zwelithini said foreigners must go back to where they came from. He said "We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries.” These statement has ignited killing and destruction that affected mostly Nigerians living in South Africa. He denied the statement until media replayed a recording of it widely‚ Then the king defended his statement‚ saying the media "misinterpreted his words and distorts them to sell newspapers". In the past week‚ at least five people have been killed in xenophobic violence in Durban townships‚ with the violence spreading to Primrose township near Germiston‚ East of Johannesburg last night. Foreigners are currently being evacuated out of Primrose area with the help of the Gauteng police. Flack laid the charges in his personal capacity with the support of the union. He said that political leaders have done little to stop the violence and people complaining about Xenophobia on social media were ineffective. Flack said: “Twitter activists are playing hair-dryer politics. I decided to do something. "The king needs to be charged for inciting this violence.” The Constitution protects freedom of speech but does not protect hate speech. Hate speech is defined as “propaganda for war" incitement of imminent violence; or advocacy of hatred that is based on race‚ ethnicity‚ gender or religion‚ and that constitutes incitement to cause harm". On Thursday‚ a peace march is taking place in Durban led by KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu and Ethekwini mayor James Nxumalo. A peace bus carrying Johannesburg residents run by social media expert Khaya Dlanga and Shaka Sisulu left Johannesburg on Wednesday night to join the march. President Jacob Zuma spoked about xenophobia in parliament on Thursday. On April 18, 2015 by 0305 GMT, South African police were sighted firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds setting immigrant businesses ablaze as attacks against foreigners spread to Johannesburg. Chanting and singing, machete-armed residents seen burning down shops owned by foreigners, including a Nigerian dealership in the nation's largest city. Immigrants carrying bricks accused police of not doing enough to protect them as businesses smoldered. Six people were reportedly killed as Violence targeting immigrant shops started recently in the port city of Durban, where two foreigners and three South Africans were killed. Residents have accused African immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes. The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25%, according to government figures. Shops set ablaze and looted as xenophobic attacks spread in South Africa. Xenophobic attacks spread to Johannesburg by 02:51 GMT The attacks against immigrant and their businesses started in Durban. The attacks have left six people dead. South African police were firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds setting immigrant businesses ablaze as attacks against foreigners spread to Johannesburg. Chanting and singing, machete-armed residents burned down shops owned by foreigners, including a Nigerian dealership in the nation's largest city. Immigrants carrying bricks accused police of not doing enough to protect them as businesses smoldered. The Violence which mainly targeting immigrant shops started recently in the port city of Durban, where two foreigners and three South Africans were killed. Residents have accused African immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes. The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25%, according to government figures. Sixth death occurred Wednesday. The body of a 58yrs-old foreign national was found in Verulam town, where a mob attacked the man at his home. He fled and died of his injuries near his home; South African police said. At least 112 people have been arrested throughout KwaZulu-Natal Province for various offenses related to the violence, the South African police said. - @pilpal007