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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka this morning paid tribute to Inkosi Mkhize of the Amambuzane Traditional Community who was murdered together with an aide, Nhlanhla Richard Dlomo, by unknown gunmen who opened fire on the Inkosi when he was driving into his home in Mpophomeni on Saturday, 13 March.
During the visit, Hlomuka expressed his sadness at the ongoing scourge when leaders of traditional communities face unprecedented attacks by unknown forces hell-bent on compromising the important institution of traditional leadership.
During his visit, Hlomuka was accompanied by the Mayor of uMngeni local municipality Cllr Sokhela, the Mayor of uMshwathi local municipality Cllr Zondi and MPL, Thulani Xulu who hailed the slain Inkosi as a strong proponent of development in the uMgungundlovu district who always fostered good relations with all spheres of government in the hope of seeing his community developed.
In his address to the grieving family, Hlomuka assured them of the government’s commitment to getting to the bottom of recent killings that the province continues to experience. In the past three years, the province has witnessed 27 murders of Amakhosi, Izinduna and other personnel that served as aides to amakhosi.
The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Inkosi Chiliza also visited the family of Inkosi Mkhize yesterday to pay his respects. During the visit, Inkosi Chiliza expressed his dismay at the murder of Inkosi Mkhize, who was a very young Inkosi.
The department, together with the Provincial House, are continuing to engage with the law enforcement agencies on a comprehensive response to the challenges faced by the institution of traditional leadership.