Durban - A traditional leader convicted of murder has been stripped of his title by the KwaZulu-Natal government’s executive council.
Chief Goodman Khanyile, of the Ekukhanyeni traditional council, in Nkandla, was convicted of murder by the Mtubatuba Circuit Court in August 2012.
He was then sentenced to two life terms but appealed the conviction and sentence.
The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in May this year.
Head of provincial communications, Thami Ngwenya, said the failure of the appeal bid by the chief had led to Co-operate Governance and Traditional Affairs Department (Cogta) instituting a misconduct inquiry against him.
“Based on him losing his appeal, a misconduct inquiry against him was held, on the basis that he had contravened Section 21(1)(a) of the KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act, 2005, in that he was convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment in excess of 12 months without the option of a fine.
“Inkosi Khanyile was subsequently convicted of misconduct after the hearing on 14 August 2015, and a recommendation was made to the executive council that his recognition as inkosi of the eKukhanyeni traditional community be withdrawn.
“To this end, the executive council upheld the findings and recommendation to the effect that the recognition of Mr Khanyile as iNkosi be withdrawn,” said Ngwenya.
Ngwenya said it was now up to Cogta to facilitate the change of regime once the chief’s family had been consulted, along with the House of the Traditional Leaders and King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Cogta spokesman, Msawakhe Mayisela, said it was now the prerogative of the Khanyile family to decide who took the chieftainship.
Khanyile’s brother, Phakamani, said the family was handling the matter internally with the help of the department. He said Khanyile was a suspect in two murder cases in 2008 and 2009. “I cannot say much on the cases. He was accused and was later found guilty,” he said.
Chairman of the provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Chief Phathisizwe Chiliza said: “I’m sure the matter is still undergoing all the stages it has to go through before it gets to our office. Tradition dictates that his family must begin the process of meetings, identify the rightful person to take over and consultations with all the relevant stakeholders.
“In an event where a chief does not have a son, one of his brothers takes over the seat,” said Chiliza.
Daily News
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