MEDIA STATEMENT: KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA AND SAPS ASSURE AMAKHOSI AND IZINDUNA REGARDING PROGRESS IN INVESTIGATIONS OF MURDERS OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS


KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka today convened a special district cluster imbizo, in Ladysmith where amakhosi and izinduna from across the districts of Amajuba, uThukela and uMzinyathi engaged with the department on some of the challenges that are facing the institution of traditional leadership at present.


Several amakhosi and izinduna voiced their concerns about the slow pace of arrests following the murders of amakhosi and izinduna in the province in the recent past. In response to these concerns, the South African Police Service indicated that the police are now beginning to make tangible progress in some of the cases concerning the murders of amakhosi and izinduna.


“As the police, we have been able to make arrests in the two instances that happened within the districts of uThukela and uMzinyathi. The breakthroughs we have had are a result of the partnership with our communities. It is therefore important that the communities continue to come forward with information that will assist in apprehending the perpetrators,” said Brigadier Buthelezi from the uMzinyathi SAPS.


In his address to the imbizo, Chairperson of the KZN Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Inkosi Chiliza expressed his concern about the accusations and counter-accusations by those who want to sow divisions within the institution of traditional leadership. “It is important that, as leaders within the institution of traditional leadership, we work together in addressing some of the challenges that are faced by the institution,” said Inkosi Chiliza.


In his address, MEC Hlomuka emphasised the important role played by the community in protecting amakhosi and ensuring that any suspicious activities are reported to law enforcement agencies. Hlomuka believes that this proactive approach will ensure that the already stretched police resources will be able to be used more efficiently in dealing with the safety concerns of amakhosi and izinduna.


MEC Hlomuka has also vowed that the department will continue to roll out izimbizo to the various districts in a cluster format to ensure that all inputs are gotten from amakhosi and izinduna.


Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
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