By Celani Sikhakhane
The former ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal leader Dr Makhosi Khoza has thrown her weight behind a controversial bachelor tax of R50 imposed on rural single males.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, Khoza, who is the director of Ukhokho Innovation, revealed that she made her own analysis and realised that the local chief from Nquthu, Inkosi Thathezakhe Ngobese, is not wrong to levy this tax.
Khoza said that the current government has been to blame, because it has made leaders rely on their poor communities to financially support their traditional institutions.
“We can’t blame Inkosi Ngobese, because our traditional leaders have been made to kneel to politicians in order to sustain their communities. As we speak, no government budget has been set aside for the running of traditional councils.
“These leaders have to make rules that enable their traditional council courts to operate. Unfortunately, poor communities have to pay,” said Khoza.
The community of KwaKhiphinkunzi has complained that they are suffering and not working, therefore they can’t afford the annual fee.
Some have revealed that they pay up to R400 due to the number of bachelors in the family.
Ngobese told Scrolla.Africa that no one will tell him how to run his community.
“All traditional councils have their policies to rule over their people and I have mine. This tax is nothing, because it assists in paying the salaries of our traditional court staff members. It also assists when there are families who have experienced tragedies,” said Ngobese.
He said he has no plans to increase the fee this year.
He also said the tax encourages men to marry their girlfriends instead of exploiting them by making them pregnant without paying lobola.
The tax applies to every man who has turned 18.
Pictured above: Inkosi Thathezakhe Ngobese of KwaKhiphinkunzi
Image source: Supplied
