- Advocate Linda Zama says chiefs are not allowed to sell or charge large fees for land under the Ingonyama Trust.
- People in kwaNgwanase and Adams Village say they pay up to R200,000 for sites and R2,500 for family events.
The Ingonyama Trust Board has warned traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal to stop selling tribal land and charging people high fees.
Deputy chairperson Advocate Linda Zama said the board is concerned about reports of traditional leaders demanding money from people who want land to build homes.
Speaking on Gagasi FM’s Indaba Current Affairs show on Wednesday, Zama said the trust has not authorised anyone to sell land or charge large amounts.
“We don’t even know where this money is going,” she said. “Tribal land under the Ingonyama Trust is not for sale. People who want a site should only pay a Khonza fee of less than R5,000.”
She said callers to the show complained about being charged between R40,000 and R200,000 for a site, with some paying R2,500 for weddings and funerals.
In kwaNgwanase, under Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe, residents have already protested against the high charges. In Adams Village near Durban, people say they pay more than R100,000 for land under the kwaCele Traditional Authority.
Zama said the Ingonyama Trust Board will investigate and take action, warning that the situation is “getting out of hand.”
Recent court rulings found that traditional leaders cannot sell communal land or charge taxes. The provincial government is also investigating several leaders accused of misconduct and illegal land sales.
Pictured above: Ingonyama Trust deputy chairperson Advocate Linda Zama speaks out against illegal sales of tribal land in KwaZulu-Natal.
Image source: Linda Zama Foundation
