By Celani Sikhakhane
Prince Simakade kaZwelithini has accused the KwaZulu-Natal government of dishing out money for security for politicians, but neglecting traditional leaders.
Prince Simakade’s complaints come after the murder of Inkosi Siphamandla Khumalo and his wife Queen MaDlamini last Saturday.
This year the KZN government announced it was budgeting R11 million for traditional security but it is not clear what happened to those funds.
Inkosi Khumalo and Queen maDlamini were assassinated in an ambush on the R34 in Utrecht, outside Newcastle, in KZN.
Police found their three-year-old crying helplessly in their vehicle.
Prince Simakade said that the government’s stance to deliberately neglect the safety of traditional leaders was witnessed during the removal of police members from the royal palaces.
“It is clear that the life of a traditional leader doesn’t matter to this government. The only leaders whose lives matter are politicians because they walk around with an entourage of bodyguards while traditional leaders are left to die alone,” he said.
“This government removed the SAPS members who were assigned to protect the royal palaces after one of the palaces was attacked, which left one of the queens fighting for her life.”
KZN Premier Nomusa MaDube-Ncube said she has called an urgent meeting to discuss solutions, not only to beef up the protection of amakhosi, but to work together.
Pictured above: Prince Simakade kaZwelithini attacked the KZN government for failing to provide traditional leaders with protection.
Image source: X
