Task team to consider iziNduna salaries
Several marches have been staged in the province to highlight their dilemma
FOR years iziNduna have complained to government about the lack of remuneration for the hard work they do in areas under traditional leadership.
They have even challenged president Jacob Zuma to intervene and secure salaries. Several marches have been staged in the province to highlight their dilemma.
Last week KZN premier Willies Mchunu pledged to resolve the longstanding matter of salaries for the iziNduna.
Mchunu, accompanied by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube and other senior officials, met with more than 600 iziNduna at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.
‘As part of efforts aimed at resolving this impasse, a task team has been established to formulate a policy and institutional framework with clear guidelines on how government should manage, legally, the affairs of iziNduna,’ Mchunu said.
‘The task team will meet once a week and provide monthly reports to MEC Dube-Ncube and myself to speed up the process. We commit the provincial government to doubling its efforts in creating an equal society where values identified in the country’s constitution are enjoyed by all.
‘All our people have a right to participate in driving socio-economic development across all corners of the province.’
Mchunu described the meeting as cordial, characterised by mutual trust and respect. He said there was an urgent need for elected public representatives and institution of traditional leadership such as the iziNduna to work together at all times.
‘It is our considered view that the institution of traditional leadership has an important role to play in ensuring that government services are brought closer to the people. We need strong leadership that will ensure that government responds with speed to the needs of the people.’
Mchunu announced the members of the task team.
Thando Tubane, acting head of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, will chair the team. The other five members are Smiso Magagula (head of Provincial Treasury), Zakhele Mnqayi (deputy director-general stakeholder relations in the office of the premier), Zaphathe Cibane (chief financial officer in the office of the premier), Busani Ndlovu (chief financial officer, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) and Ntokozo Chonco (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs).
IziNduna play a pivotal role in retaining peace and facilitating problem-solving in villages, and at times act on behalf of amaKhosi.
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