By Celani Sikhakhane
- Traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal want people to boycott the elections because the government owes headmen more than R2-billion in backpay.
- The Independent Electoral Commission met King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in Pongola on Tuesday to talk about voters losing trust in government.
Traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal are threatening to stop their communities from voting in the local government elections.
The leaders are angry because the provincial government owes headmen more than R2-billion in unpaid salaries.
This anger has led to threats against Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) workers in many rural villages across the province.
On Tuesday, top IEC bosses travelled to the eMashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal to meet with Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
IEC chief executive officer Sy Mamabolo and chairperson Mosotho Moepya led the group.
They told King Misuzulu that people in KwaZulu-Natal are losing trust in government. The King welcomed the visit and backed the IEC.
He said traditional leaders must help keep communities together and encourage people to vote.
The King fully supports the work of the Electoral Commission, his private office said.
They said the King wants all people who are old enough, especially the youth, to register and vote peacefully.
Pictured above: The top leadership of the Independent Electoral Commission met King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to brief him about the upcoming local government elections at the eMashobeni Royal Palace.
Image source: Zulu Royal Kingdom
