The incident, which unfolded outside a police station in KwaZulu-Natal, has reignited national concern about the dangers of tribalism and xenophobia in South Africa. In the recording, a woman — identified as a Zulu South African — is heard berating SAPS KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda for not addressing her in isiZulu. She further referred to him using the xenophobic slur “makwerekwere,” a derogatory term historically used to label and dehumanise foreigners. The remarks were made solely on the basis of his ethnicity and language, despite him being a South African citizen. SAPS clarified that Colonel Netshiunda was born and raised in Limpopo, one of South Africa’s nine provinces.