Durban — KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has vowed to root out ghost Izinduna who have allegedly milked the state coffers millions of rand.
Delivering his maiden budget speech as the Cogta MEC at the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, Buthelezi announced that a team comprising Amakhosi and Izinduna will undertake a vigorous verification process to identify ghost Izinduna and remove them from the government payroll.
He said his action was a response to the concerns his department had received from members of the chamber regarding the legitimacy of the salaries paid to some Izinduna by the department monthly.
“In response to these concerns, the department will undertake a thorough and comprehensive physical verification process of Izinduna starting in September 2024. This verification will involve both Amakhosi and Izinduna actively. The primary objective of this exercise is to ensure the utmost accountability in the disbursement of government funds and to mitigate any potential risks associated with remunerating Izinduna who may not be duly accountable to their respective traditional leaders,” said the MEC.
He said the process will commence this month, starting with the Zululand and the uMgungundlovu districts, adding that he was confident that this collaborative and transparent approach will not only address the current concerns but also reinforce the public’s trust and confidence in his department’s commitment to ethical and accountable governance.
He said the province was spending R300 million on Izinduna and R80m on Amakhosi annually.
There has been a concern that the killing of Izinduna and Amakhosi was a result of the illegal appointment of Izinduna by certain Amakhosi since the introduction of Izinduna remuneration.
While busy with the verification process, the MEC also announced that the provincial government has initiated interim protection measures for 28 Amakhosi who after a threat analysis were found to be in danger.
He said since 2019, 12 Amakhosi and 46 Izinduna have been murdered, leaving communities shattered. The unidentified perpetrators of these “heinous acts exacerbate the fear and uncertainty pervasive in the province”, he said.
“An extensive crime-fighting strategy has also been developed, encompassing plans to protect traditional leaders. Key interventions include the installation of high-mast lights, CCTV cameras, and enhanced connectivity. Despite overwhelming adversity, the province remains resolute to end this brutal cycle of violence.”
He said that in the coming months, his department would hold a summit for the Traditional Leadership Institution, adding that the crucial event will provide a platform for direct engagement between the national, provincial and local government, Amakhosi, and other stakeholders aiming to find innovative solutions to issues affecting traditional leadership.
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