Some of the thirty Ford Territory 4x4 sport utility vehicles and GWM P-300 Series handed over by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affiars Thulasizwe Buthelezi to traditional leaders.
Image: KZN Cogta
The handover of 30 American sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and Chinese double-cab bakkies to traditional leaders by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has drawn scrutiny.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KZN has written to Buthelezi seeking clarity on the allocation of 30 Ford Territory 4x4 SUVs and GWM P-300 double cab bakkies, which were handed over during the opening of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders at the Old Legislature Building in Ulundi.
DA Member of the Provincial Legislature and spokesperson on Cogta-related matters, Marlene Nair, emphasised that the party’s concerns were not about opposing support for traditional leaders, but about ensuring accountability.
“The DA recognises and respects the important role played by Amakhosi and traditional leadership in KZN. This is not a question of opposing support for traditional leaders,” said Nair.
“Instead, it is about ensuring that any support provided by the provincial government is transparent, properly budgeted, fairly allocated, and sustainable over time.”
Nair also raised concerns about possible tax implications, questioning whether the vehicles would be considered donations—triggering tax liabilities—or taxable benefits if they remain state-owned but are used privately.
She added that residents deserve full disclosure on how public funds are being spent. “The people of this province are entitled to know which traditional councils have received vehicles, how many were allocated, what they cost, whether they remain state assets, and who will bear the ongoing costs of fuel, insurance, and maintenance,” she said.
An entry-level Ambiente line Territory costs around R594 500 going up to R734 000 for the high-spec Dark Edition line. The GWM P-300 Series entry-level LS edition retails for R529 900 for the entry level while the high-spec LTD line sells from R699 900.
The GWM P-300 Series double cab bakkies that were unveiled by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs during the opening of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in the old legislature in Ulundi last week.
Image: KZN Cogta
Buthelezi said he had not yet received the DA’s written parliamentary questions.
Last week, the KZN Cogta department described the vehicles as part of an official fleet intended for executive committee members of the KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, as well as chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of district-level local houses.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is expected to officially hand over the Ford Territory SUVs and GWM P-Series double-cab bakkies on Thursday at the eMashobeni Royal Palace, during a meeting convened to discuss matters relating to the Ingonyama Trust.
The development comes amid ongoing legal battles over the Trust. Last week, the Pietermaritzburg High Court granted an interim order halting Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso’s decision to disband the Ingonyama Trust Board.
On the same day, the court also dealt a setback to King Misuzulu’s bid to assume control of the Trust’s finances.