By Celani Sikhakhane
Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi, the senior leader of the Buthelezi clan, is asking the government to do more to protect KwaZulu-Natal’s traditional leaders after a spate of recent murders.
The prince’s headman, Sibongiseni Wilson Buthelezi, was shot dead outside his Ulundi home on Monday morning. He was about to travel to the tribal court in Oncweleni village.
The shooting happened just three days after induna Joyce Mokgosi was killed near Newcastle.
Prince Zuzifa said the slow rate of arrests of those killing traditional leaders is a problem.
“We are losing hope in the country’s justice system,” he said.
“A person can be killed in such a small village where everyone knows each other, but no arrests have been made, and there is no successful investigation.”
He said traditional leaders are living in fear for their lives.
KwaZulu-Natal politicians have met to try to solve the problem, but the killings have continued.
Earlier this week, Siphamandla Ntombela from the National Freedom Party said traditional leaders were seriously under attack but didn’t have security.
“The politicians are provided with multiple security details to ensure that even their homes are safe,” he said.
In 2023, KZN municipalities spent R18-million in just six months on bodyguards for politicians and their wives.
Last year, the cash-strapped uThukela District Municipality spent almost R10-million in 14 months on councillor bodyguards.
In 2019, the Umvoti Municipality said it had spent about R11.86-million on security for its mayor since 2016 and R4.6-million on security for senior managers.
Pictured above: Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi of kwaPhindangene worries about KZN’s traditional leaders’ safety.
Source: SA Presidency
