KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi
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THE recent purchase of cars for traditional leaders faces further scrutiny following cost revelations and concerns about partisanship in vehicle allocation.
The cars were bought by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal and cost the provincial government close to R20 million.
The amount spent on the cars has raised eyebrows, as it was appropriated from the existing budget, raising fears that critical services that are the core functions of the department could be compromised. The national portfolio committee of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has received complaints about the criteria used to allocate the cars and is demanding answers.
DA member Marlaine Nair said they are seeking clarity following a written reply confirming that 30 vehicles were procured at a total cost of R19.41 million. She mentioned that the department has indicated that the procurement was funded through internal reprioritisation within its existing budget, and that once the vehicles are transferred, responsibility for fuel, maintenance, and insurance will fall to the Traditional Councils as part of their operational costs.
Nair added that the DA recognises the important role that Traditional Councils play throughout the province, particularly in rural communities where they assist with local leadership, community coordination, and engagement with government.
“Our questions are therefore not aimed at opposing support to Traditional Councils. They are aimed at ensuring that this support is properly funded, sustainable, and allocated in a transparent manner,” she said in a statement.
“This matters because CoGTA also carries important responsibilities in relation to municipal support and monitoring, governance support, capacity-building, and disaster management. The department should be able to reassure the people of KZN that support to Traditional Councils will not come at the expense of these core responsibilities,” she added.
The second issue, Nair stated, is sustainability for Traditional Councils themselves. She said vehicles come with recurring costs, including fuel, insurance, licensing, tyres, servicing, and repairs. The DA has asked the department to indicate the sustainability plan for these recurring costs.
Nair said the third issue is vehicle allocation.
“While CoGTA has provided a beneficiary list, the DA has asked for the criteria and process used to select the initial batch of Traditional Councils for vehicle allocation and the framework that will guide future allocations. This is important so that all Traditional Councils understand how prioritisation decisions are made.”
Nair said the DA, as a Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) partner, believes that these questions are reasonable in terms of constructive oversight. Public money must be spent in a manner that is transparent, sustainable, and aligned with the department’s broader mandate.
“We will continue to seek clarity in a responsible manner, so that Traditional Councils are properly supported while CoGTA’s important work with municipalities is not weakened.”
“While CoGTA has explained how the initial R19.41 million procurement was funded, further clarity is needed on whether this was a once-off reprioritisation or whether future vehicle allocations and related costs will also depend on ongoing reprioritisation,” she said.
The Chairperson of the national committee on CoGTA, Dr Zweli Mkhize, in a letter to the MEC for CoGTA in KZN, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, relayed these concerns raised by Amakhosi through the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) in KwaZulu-Natal about SUVs allocated to some Amakhosi. He further noted that providing tools of trade to support traditional leadership is provided for in law.
In a committee statement, Mkhize said, “However, Amakhosi are now questioning the transparency and equitable rollout of these tools of trade. Some believe that allocations were made based on political considerations.”
“The committee requested the policy document on the tools of trade that guided the nature and budget for these tools, including the vehicles. In addition, the committee requested that the MEC explain the manner in which vehicles were allocated and the plan to reach Amakhosi who were excluded,” said the committee.
The Department of CoGTA in KwaZulu-Natal said the MEC is alarmed that 32 years into democracy, Amakhosi must still justify their existence as a legitimate leadership structure within the legislative framework.
“The DA requested a special portfolio committee to deal with this issue that is scheduled for 15 May 2026. It is puzzling now for the DA to initiate a dialogue through the media in order to score political points at the expense of the dignity of Amakhosi.”