- The AmaNdebele kingdom in Mpumalanga now says political parties unconstitutionally control municipalities and wants traditional leaders to govern them instead.
- The Constitution’s section 212(1) says only that national law may give traditional leaders a role on matters affecting local communities.
The AmaNdebele kingdom in Mpumalanga has revived its fight over who should run municipalities. It says political parties should not form them, and traditional leaders should.
The kingdom, led by King Mabhoko of amaNdzundza, says parties breach section 212(1) of the Constitution. It says the section requires traditional leaders to form government in municipalities.
Section 212(1) says something different. It reads: “National legislation may provide for a role for traditional leadership as an institution at local level on matters affecting local communities.”
Municipal councils are chosen in elections.
The kingdom says its king wrote to all AmaNdebele tribes last week to prepare a challenge to government. It says it has written to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs ministers for years and been ignored, but has not yet raised the matter with current minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Lindimpi Mhlanga kaMafana of the AmaNdebele kingdom said close contact between traditional leaders and councillors, competition for scarce resources and possible boundary changes can cause conflict.
“There is a need for dialogues between monarchies and the government to avert possible conflict. The role and function of traditional leaders has been reduced drastically. The government of the day seems to dictate the scope of traditional leaders’ functions. The tensions and disagreements that surrounded the role and functions of traditional leaders in the government system in South Africa is mounting an alarming stage,” he said.
He also said two laws give kings limited powers, that the department does little for kings and queens, and that many municipalities ignore traditional leaders when planning land use.
