The chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Dr Zweli Mkhize has written to KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Cogta Thulasizwe Buthelezi demanding answers about the criteria of the allocation of American SUVs and Chinese 4x4 double-cab bakkies to traditional leaders in the province following multiple complaints that have been ignored by the provincial department.
Image: FILE
The allocation of thirty American sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and Chinese 4x4 double-cab bakkies to amakhosi by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has come under parliamentary scrutiny following concerns over the transparency and fairness of the distribution process.
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.
The move follows complaints raised by amakhosi through the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) in KwaZulu-Natal, where concerns have emerged that some traditional leaders were favoured over others in receiving the Ford Territory SUVs and GWM P-Series bakkies. Allegations have also surfaced that political considerations may have influenced the allocations.
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.
Some of the thirty Ford Territory 4x4 sport utility vehicles and GWM P-300 Series double-cab 4x4 bakkies handed over by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi to traditional leaders. There are concerns about where the funds to procure these vehicles for amakhosi came from. Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on COGTA Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize has written to the MEC demanding and explanation before May 6, 2026.
Image: KZN COGTA
Committee chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize has written to Buthelezi, outlining the committee’s concerns and requesting a full account of the processes 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.
As part of its oversight role, the committee has asked the KwaZulu-Natal department to submit the policy document that informed the allocation of the vehicles, including the budget and framework guiding the provision of tools of trade.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) is demanding answers around the allocation of GWM P-300 Series double-cab bakkies and Ford Territory SUVs by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cogta following multiple complaints from various stakeholders including amakhosi, izinduna and the provincial Cogta portfolio committe chairperson.
Image: KZN COGTA
It has also requested a detailed list of recipients, the criteria used to determine allocations, and an explanation of how the department intends to assist amakhosi who were excluded from the rollout.
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 said the matter goes beyond the allocation of vehicles and speaks to broader principles of accountability in the use of public resources.
He stressed that transparency, fairness and accountability must remain central where state resources are intended to strengthen traditional leadership institutions.
"We remain committed to constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that support to traditional leadership is implemented in a manner that is consistent, equitable and strengthens governance at the community level," Mkhize said.
Parliamentary intervention follows KZN Cogta portfolio committee chairperson Marlaine Nair's concerns about the purchase of the vehicles.
Nair sent parliamentary questions to the MEC about the vehicles' funding model, emphasising the public's right to know how the funds are being spent. Buthelezi said he had not received Nair's questions, two weeks ago.
KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi
Image: FILE
Nair had not received any reply from the MEC's office or the department on how much the vehicles cost and how the maintenance and ownership of the vehicles would be managed.
In a response to the Sunday Tribune regarding Nair's parliamentary questions and the Parliamentary probe, KZN Cogta stated it has not received either letter.
Last week, responding to Ubumbano Lwezinduna, the department said, “What is clear is that there is a concerted campaign to discredit the reforms that the MEC has introduced into the institution of traditional leadership in this province.”