Zulu king calls for urgent action against growing gun violence in KZN

PIETERMARITZBURG - Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has weighed in on growing gun violence in KwaZulu-Natal, saying it needs to be addressed with urgency. 
 
The monarch was speaking during the official opening of the legislature on Tuesday, ahead of the premier's State of the Province Address on Wednesday. 
 
The king said that police must also be harsh when tackling crime, for the sake of the province's citizens.
 
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini delivered a brief speech in front of members of the House, traditional and religious leaders.  
 
Expressing his worry about the high crime rate, he said that something needed to be done about gun violence in the province.
 
"We cannot sing praises when there are still people who believe that the gun is a solution to political differences and other disagreements. As I stand here today, many amakhosi, izinduna and community members have been buried because of the gun."
 
He added that it also excarcebated high levels of poverty.  
 
"Due to gun violence, many families are impoverished, having lost breadwinners."
 
And with the provincial government planning a crime summit to be held in August, the monarch has urged all traditional leaders in the province to form part of it in a bid to find crime fighting solutions.