KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), under the leadership of MEC Sipho Hlomuka, has confirmed that all outgoing Traditional Council members have received their stipends, which were paid on Friday, 31 January 2020.
Under the Traditional Leadership and Governance Act of 2005, members of the Traditional Councils, are entitled to a stipend that is based on the number of meetings they attend. The department has paid 1690 members of the outgoing TCs a total amount of R1 245 620.
Explaining the delay in the payments, Hlomuka said that the department has had to review its payments systems following a number of recommendations from the Auditor General. This meant that the department had to overhaul the system it used to pay the members and this has caused the delay in the processing of the payments.
“The payments we completed last week are a clear indication that the department has been able to resolve this issue,” said Hlomuka.
The department is currently facilitating the payment for the few remaining TC members who are either deceased or have not submitted completed forms that are a prerequisite for payment.