General
Concerns about the fairness and transparency of the distribution process have brought the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) allocation of thirty American sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and Chinese 4x4 double-cab bakkies to amakhosi under parliamentary scrutiny.
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Cogta has formally intervened, requesting clarity on how the vehicles, regarded as tools of trade for traditional leaders, were allocated and whether the process was guided by fair and equitable criteria.
Amakhosi complained to the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) in KwaZulu-Natal that some traditional leaders were given Ford Territory SUVs and GWM P-Series bakkies ahead of others. This led to the move. The allocations may also have been influenced by political considerations, according to rumors.
Contralesa's complaints follow those of the Ubumbano Lwezinduna who raised similar concerns about KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi's conduct. In a letter, Ubumbano Lwezinduna's Secretary, Ndunankulu Charles Malinga accused Buthelezi of using state resources to sideline Izinduna and amakhosi along political allegiance lines, and weaponising the tools of the trade allocation.
Dr. Zweli Mkhize, chairperson of the committee, has written to Buthelezi to express the committee's concerns and request a comprehensive explanation of the procedures followed. Mkhize acknowledged that providing tools of trade to support traditional leadership is legally recognised and forms part of government’s responsibility to strengthen governance at community level.
However, he said amakhosi were now questioning whether the rollout of these resources had been handled transparently and fairly.
The issue was first raised at a meeting of amakhosi and izinduna attended by Mkhize, before being escalated this week during a parliamentary committee meeting in the presence of Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
The committee has asked the KwaZulu-Natal department to submit the policy document that guided the allocation of the vehicles, as well as the budget and framework for providing tools of trade, as part of its oversight role. It has also requested a comprehensive list of recipients, an explanation of the department's plans to assist amakhosi who were left out of the rollout, and the criteria used to allocate funds.
In addition, the MEC has been asked to respond directly to allegations that political affiliation may have played a role in determining who benefited.
The committee has given the department until May 6, 2026 to submit its response.
Mkhize stated that the issue relates to broader principles of accountability in the use of public resources and goes beyond the allocation of vehicles.
He stressed that transparency, fairness and accountability must remain central where state resources are intended to strengthen traditional leadership institutions.
Mkhize stated, "We remain committed to constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that support for traditional leadership is implemented in a manner that is consistent, equitable, and strengthens governance at the community level."
This is in order to ensure that traditional leadership is supported. Parliamentary intervention follows KZN Cogta portfolio committee chairperson Marlaine Nair's concerns about the purchase of the vehicles.
Nair emphasized the public's right to know how the funds are being spent in parliamentary questions to the MEC about the vehicles' funding model. Two weeks ago, Buthelezi stated that he had not received Nair's inquiries. Neither the MEC's office nor the department had provided Nair with any information regarding the vehicle costs or the management of vehicle ownership or maintenance. In a response to the Sunday Tribune regarding Nair's parliamentary questions and the Parliamentary probe, KZN Cogta stated it has received the letters.
"We have received the letters and we will respond to them appropriately," said KZN Cogta.
