• Injeje yabeNguni says Ngizwe Mchunu is right to defend Zulu royal regalia as sacred and not for public use.

• Mchunu faces a Human Rights Commission probe after telling gay people to leave South Africa.

Traditional group Injeje yabeNguni has thrown its support behind Bhinca Nation President Ngizwe Mchunu after his clash with the LGBTQI community over the use of Zulu royal regalia.

Mchunu criticised members of the LGBTQI community who wore Zulu leopard-skin attire during a wedding ceremony, saying the regalia is meant only for the Zulu royal family and warriors.

He also attacked television personality Somizi Mhlongo, accusing him of promoting a gay lifestyle, and called for gay people to leave the country. His remarks have led to a Human Rights Commission investigation for possible hate speech.

On Sunday, Mchunu led a group of men to KwaMai Mai in Johannesburg, a popular spot for gay patrons, but was stopped by police and local leaders from addressing the crowd.

In a statement, Injeje yabeNguni said it “fully supports” Mchunu’s position. The group described the royal regalia as sacred symbols of power, ancestry and heritage, not clothing for social events.

They said wearing the regalia outside royal ceremonies disrespects Zulu customs and “amounts to cultural provocation.”

“The right to self-expression does not remove the right of a nation to protect its sacred traditions,” the group said.

Pictured above: Ngizwe Mchunu.

Image source: File