KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu has reiterated government’s commitment to working with the institution of traditional leadership.
Today, Mchunu accompanied by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube and senior government officials met with more than 600 Izinduna at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall. The meeting was cordial and characterised mutual trust and respect.
“It is our considered view as government that the institution of traditional leadership have an important role to play in ensuring that government services are brought closer to the people.”
“When we started this term of office, we undertook to work with all stakeholders and leaders of society to create a prosperous province. The country’s constitution enjoins government to provide services to communities in a sustainable manner and equally encourages the involvement of communities on matters of rural development.”
“We need a strong leadership that will ensure that government responds with speed to the needs of the people. Therefore, there is an urgent need for elected public representatives and institution of traditional leadership such as Izinduna to work together at all times.”
“Critically, I wish to announce that as part of efforts aimed at resolving the longstanding matter of salaries of Izinduna, a Task Team has been established. This team will amongst others, formulate a policy and institutional framework with clear guidelines on how government should manage, legally, the affairs of Izinduna.”
The members of the task team will include the following officials:
1. Mr Thando Tubane, Acting Head of the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Chairperson);
2. Mr Smiso Magagula, Head of Provincial Treasury;
3. Mr Zakhele Mnqayi, Deputy Director General, Stakeholder Relations, Office of the Premier;
4. Mr Zaphathe Cibane, Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Premier;
5. Mr, Busani Ndlovu, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs;
6. Mr Ntokozo Chonco, Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
In order to speedily resolve this matter, the task team is expected meet once a week and will provide monthly reports to MEC Dube-Ncube and the Premier.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Spokesperson for the Premier
Cell: 082 375 4742
Lennox Mabaso
COGTA spokesperson
Cell: 082 884 2403
