By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS

The Nigerian Senate has called on the government to recall the Nigerian ambassador from South Africa and take Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini to court over recent deadly anti-immigrant violence in the country.

"The Nigerian government should drag Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini who incited the attacks at the International Criminal Court (ICC)," read a motion unanimously passed by the lawmaking body at its Wednesday sitting in Abuja.

South Africa has seen increasing anti-immigrant violence in recent weeks that has mostly targeted migrants from other African countries.

The violence began earlier this month in Durban, where mobs descended on the homes and shops of a number of foreign migrants.

The victims were accused of stealing jobs from native South Africans, committing crimes, and putting a burden on the country's social services.

At least seven people have so far been killed in the violence, which has since spread to parts of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city.

The violence has forced scores of migrants to leave South Africa.

"What is happening in South Africa is totally unacceptable and uncalled for," Senate President David Mark remarked as he banged the gavel following the adoption of the motion.

"We need to stand up also for all other Africans in South Africa," he said.

"We cannot have a situation where one king gets up and begins to say that people should go away," added Mark. "That is preaching hatred and is unacceptable."

King Zwelithini was widely accused of making remarks that had triggered the violence, but he has repeatedly denied the claim.

He has since repeatedly denied the accusation and called for an immediate halt to anti-immigrant violence.

The Zulu people, South Africa's largest tribe or ethnic group, are estimated at over 11 million. The Province of KwaZulu Natal belongs to the Zulu tribe.

The Zulu are very loyal to their king, who wields extensive influence among his subjects. President Jacob Zuma himself hails from the Zulu tribe.

The Senate also summoned Nigerian Foreign Minister Aminu Wali to brief the lawmakers about the happenings in South Africa and demanded Abuja to pressurize South Africa to ensure that perpetrators of the violence are prosecuted.

"We have a responsibility to protect our citizens," said Mark.

He asserted that South Africa has a moral obligation to be grateful to Nigeria for the front line role it played during the apartheid era.

"We gave them scholarships, trained their staff and this is how they treat us?" Mark fumed. "For them to repay us this way...is totally unacceptable and uncalled for."