Traditional leaders demand more from the KZN government

KwaZulu Natal House of Traditional Leaders chairperson Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza has sneered at the salaries of traditional leaders in the area and says amakhosi (traditional leaders) cannot participate in eradicating poverty if they are poor themselves.

This comes after Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and new Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told the country’s 257 mayors to opt for public transport in lieu of luxury vehicles as part of widespread austerity measures.

Pretoria News reports that the region’s amakhosi recently met with the province’s Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka in an effort to appeal for wi-fi access, cars, housing allowances, drivers, and better salaries.

“Amakhosi should have the latest technology such as wi-fi in their traditional courts so that they can function effectively. An act that governs traditional leaders should be amended so there is a guarantee that once an inkosi is coronated (sic) he gets a car and a housing subsidy,” Chiliza told the publication.

The KZN provincial government currently funds the salaries of 300 amakhosi and 3,200 izinduna.

“Salaries of amakhosi are a disgrace as they are paid less than teachers and they cannot participate in the development of their communities while they are poor,” he added.

Chiliza also took exception to the fact that traditional leaders had to drive themselves around.

While Hlomuka’s initial position was to remind the amakhosis of the province’s budget constraints, he later acquiesced and promised to have another look at the provincial budget “to see if the demands could be met” all in the name of building a relationship with the traditional leaders.

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