The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) condemns the attack against the property belonging to Chief Sandile Nkosi of Mpakeni Traditional Council at Daantjie outside Mbombela. A group of unknown people set Chief Nkosi’s house on fire on Wednesday morning. His vehicle was also damaged during the act.
MEC for COGTA, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni called on law enforcement agencies to arrest the perpetrators as a measure to stop this violent act. “We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. This malicious criminal act can only stop if police investigate and arrest the perpetrators,” she said. She added that the arrest of the perpetrators will sent a signal that such criminal act has no place in a democratic South Africa.
Ms Mtshweni’s call was echoed by the Mpumalanga Provincial House of Traditional Leaders (MPHTL). The Chairperson, Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena said the attack on Chief Nkosi is an attack of the institution of traditional leadership and the community as a whole. “Chief Nkosi is the rightful leader of the Mpakeni Tribal Council. We view this barbaric act as an attack against the institution of traditional leaders. We are in unison as traditional leaders in Mpumalanga in condemning the attack and we hope the police will pursue the perpetrators until their arrest so that justice can take its course,” Kgoshi Mokoena said.
Enquiries:
Mr George Mthethwa
Tel: 013 766 6572
Cell: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
