Parliament’s Justice Committee has backed Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini who is considering lodging a complaint with the Information Regulator and taking legal action against MiWay over a leaked recorded conversation between a salesman and the king, which starts with the salesman addressing Zwelithini by his first name.

According to a TimesLIVE report, Prince Thulani said in a statement on behalf of the royal family they consider it an insult to the Zulu nation. ‘In what the Royal Family regards as a violation of privacy‚ the sales agent phoned his majesty and addressed him by his name. In the Zulu culture‚ it is highly disrespectful for anyone to address his majesty by his first name,’ the statement said.

Committee chairperson Dr Mathole Motshekga said the call was ‘clearly’ a violation of the Protection of Private Information Act, which protects individuals’ personal information. Motshekga also believes the incident defies ‘culturally acceptable practices’. Thulani said Miway should be punished for violating the Consumer Protection Act. ‘The Act guarantees the right to privacy and right to fair and responsible marketing,’ the prince said.

Full TimesLIVE report