President Jacob Zuma’s eldest son Edward Zuma says he will not apologise or withdraw his anti-foreigner statements.

“The point I am trying to make is that the country [South Africa] is facing a serious problem when it comes to illegal immigrants. I am not going to withdraw my comments,” said Zuma.

He also criticised the Swaziland Solidarity Network’s claim that he was not proud of having been born in Swaziland.

“I want to clarify to the Swaziland Solidarity Network that I was born in Swaziland, but I am not proud to have been born there because of the current barbaric administration.

“I personally support the plight of the Swazi people who want democracy. But I am a citizen of South Africa and was merely stating that we have a problem,” he said.

The network recently criticised Zuma for supporting King Goodwill Zwelithinis call to deport foreigners from South Africa. Zwelithini reportedly told a gathering at a moral regeneration rally in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, two weeks ago, that foreigners “should pack their bags and leave”.

This week it was reported that an attack on foreigners in Isipingo, near Durban, was fueled by the king’s comments.

Zuma told News24 earlier this week that he agreed with Zwelithini and feared South Africa was sitting on a ticking time bomb of foreigners taking over the country.

The SA Human Rights Commission is investigating both the Zulu king and Zuma’s comments.

Zuma said he was aware the commission was looking into the matter.

The network’s Lucky Lukhele remarked: “I think it is not easy for a man to apologise because he may feel humiliated for what he has done.”

Lukhele however said Zuma was right.

“The fact of the matter is that it is true. Some people are taking advantage of South Africa’s generosity.”

However, Zuma needed to understand he was an extension of the president and what he said reflected on his father.

“I know for a fact that the president does not agree with his sentiments and we will give him some time to think about what he said and withdraw, because his statements were reckless.

“Already what the king said is showing results on the ground. Comrade Zuma cant paint everybody with the same brush. Some foreigners are contributing to South Africa’s economy,” Lukhele said. News24