MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi has reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting traditional leaders in the North West.
MEC Maloyi made this announcement in the 2023/2024 Budget Speech. He said as part of the department’s continuous support to the institution of traditional leadership, a special working session was held in April this year with traditional leaders and all relevant stakeholders in order to discuss issues afflicting Dikgosi.
“The session emerged with a plan of action aimed on addressing issues of mutual interest raised by Dikgosi. A follow-up session will be held soon to assess the progress”, he said.
MEC Maloyi said the department has also undertaken to address the issue of ex-gratia payment that is due to the Members of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders who served in the 2017/22 term. “Our established practice makes them eligible to be granted such ex-gratia payment. The department will be processing their payment during the second quarter of the current financial year”, he said.
He said in the spirit of affirming the role of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, traditional leadership disputes must first serve in the House before they can be referred to the MEC.
MEC Maloyi also announced the establishment of the investigating committee under section 59 of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019. He said the committee will investigate the disputes in traditional communities and make recommendations for a speedy resolution of these disputes.
Meanwhile, MEC Maloyi said the new democratic, post-apartheid government inherited traditional leadership disputes from both the homeland and old South African regimes. He said the records show that these disputes were historically subjected to numerous commissions of inquiries but could not be ultimately resolved.
“It therefore became incumbent upon the present government to come up with dispute resolution mechanisms to address such accrued disputes and any new disputes. Whilst we respect and acknowledge the democratic principles envisaged by the dispute resolution regime governing traditional leadership, it is however disconcerting to note a trend by the forum-shopping complainants, who persistently revive settled disputes from one government administration to the other. This tendency is an affront to the noble intent of this dispute resolution mechanism”, MEC Maloyi indicated.
He said the reconstitution of traditional councils has been suspended following an impending dispute between traditional leaders across the country and the Minister Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs over the formula meant to determine the number of the members of traditional councils.
He added that the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders has been tasked to engage with all Provincial and Local Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders on the revised formula and report back to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs n August this year.
Enquiries:
Tumelo Maruping
Cell: 072 901 7653
E-mail: info.kamocon19@gmail.com
Dineo Thapelo
Cell: 072 218 2559
E-mail: dthapelo@nwpg.gov.za
