DURBAN - KWAZULU-NATAL Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) is planning to convene an imbizo to address the attacks on traditional leaders.
In the past few months several izinduna and amakhosi have been killed.
Cogta said MEC Sipho Hlomuka would convene an imbizo with amakhosi, izinduna, law enforcement agencies and all other relevant stakeholders to devise a plan to put an end to the killings.
Hlomuka made the announcement when he tabled his department’s budget on Friday.
It was not immediately clear when the summit would be convened.
During the address, Hlomuka expressed his concern at the spate of killings where amakhosi, their aides and izinduna were assassinated in their homes.
“More than 27 of these individuals have been murdered and several others have escaped assassination attempts since 2019. These murders are increasingly destabilising the institution of traditional leadership. There is currently no evidence linking these killings to any particular development within our traditional institutions,” said Hlomuka.
He also called upon citizens to avoid speculation when it came to these killings and rather allow the rule of law to prevail.
Speculation has been rife that the killings could be related to financial benefits linked to these positions.
In his budget speech, Hlomuka vowed to work closely with the institution of traditional leadership within the province to address challenges that this institution is faced with.
In the department’s R1.7 billion budget, an amount of R586 million was set aside to provide a wide range of support to the institution.
THE MERCURY