MEMBERS of the Mhlana Traditional Council have expressed their disgust at the treatment allegedly meted out by the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
They accuse COGTA of ignoring them, while giving more attention and resources to Municipal Council members.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop held for all members of Mhlana Traditional Council last week, Cllr Mbhekeni Mthethwa said they were unhappy with the treatment they receive from COGTA, which was dividing them as community leaders.
The one-day workshop was organised by the Head of Mhlana Traditional Council, uMntanenkosi Mbusowabathethwa Mthethwa, and was presented by Prof Otty Nxumalo, former Director-General of KZN Provincial Government.
‘All we want is to be treated the same way as our counterparts at Municipal Councils.
‘It puzzles us that while we were also elected to serve our communities in the same way as do Municipal Council members, we get nothing from the Department.
‘It’s like we have been dumped. Since we were elected in 2011 to serve in Traditional Councils, we have received no training.
‘No workshops have been organised for us by COGTA on how to conduct our business and mentorships, yet numerous workshops for Municipal Councils are being held now and then.
‘Municipal Councillors receive monthly salaries, but we don’t even get travel allowances, yet we do the same work.
‘Why is COGTA not levelling the playing fields?,’ he asked.
Mthethwa said he was aware that this was the trend in most traditional councils, which he felt were being disregarded purposely by COGTA.
‘We are also responsible for mediating conflicts regarding land disputes and we assist in the administration of Ingonyama Trust.
‘This attitude by COGTA has to come to a halt now.
‘We are ware that our local uMfolozi Municipality has extended an invitation to our iNkosi to attend Municipal Council meetings, but that too is not adequate, because Inkosi will only attend as a spectator, he can not participate in the proceedings of councils.’
Mthethwa said COGTA has to date failed to clarify the role of traditional leaders in municipal councils.
‘Except for this ‘chorus’ of Chapter 12, which recognises traditional leadership, we are yet to be told of our actual roles in municipal structures.’
KZN Spokesperson for COGTA Lennox Mabaso could not be contacted at the time of going to print.
