AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for "an urgent dialogue" to discuss the "wanton killing of amakhosi (chiefs), izinduna (headmen), and councillors".

The Zulu monarch delivered his maiden address at the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature during its official opening on Thursday.

This was in accordance with the unique practice in KZN where a Zulu king officially opens the provincial legislature the day before the premier delivers his State of the Province Address.

King Misuzulu expressed displeasure with the spread of firearms in society.

"The proliferation of guns in South Africa has become widespread. Nearly every day, we hear of incidents where people are killed by these guns. Of late, these incidents include criminals ambushing people in their homes, using these guns," he said.

"The increasing number of illegal firearms in our communities puts the lives of communities at risk. Our province is counted among the provinces with the highest number of killings through guns. People are gunned down in towns, cities, townships, rural areas and even schools."

According to the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), 10 chiefs and 37 headmen have been killed since 2019.

The most recent attack occurred in the Nyavini clan of Umzumbe, south of KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday.

It is alleged that unknown gunmen attacked Chief Sibonelo Ngcobo at his home. He managed to escape, but two of his family members succumbed to injuries sustained during the ambush.

Earlier this month, Chief Zwelakhe Ndaba from Estcourt, in central KZN, was shot and killed at his home.

Misuzulu told members of the KZN legislature and hundreds of guests on Thursday that the killings were "barbaric, cursed and inhumane".

"This is not in line with our indigenous upbringing and prideful values of sharing and extending a helping hand unconditionally," he said.

The king added that his proposed dialogue should involve "ubukhosi (indigenous leadership), provincial and national government, as well as the police".

"This dialogue should come up with solutions because we do not need to start investigating and looking for evidence that amakhosi and izinduna are being killed. Rather, this dialogue should focus on how, by working together, we can arrest this situation.

"In discussing solutions to the killing of amakhosi and izinduna, we cannot leave out the community members who live in these areas of amakhosi. These communities should also be part of the solution. We should not ignore their inputs, because in a free country like ours no one should live in fear, irrespective of their social standing," the king explained.