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Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul.
The Northern Cape government has established a Commission of Inquiry to deal with traditional leadership disputes. Some communities in the province have been embroiled in chieftaincy disputes, prompting the establishment of the commission.
The provincial Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs says it is confident that this move will finally put to rest leadership contests.
The commission established by Premier Zamani Saul will, among others, investigate traditional leadership disputes.
Recently, the community of Camden Village in Kuruman complained that their traditional council was dysfunctional.
Mpho Montsho is a concerned resident.
“There is a problem with the tribal office here in Camden. Our tribal office is dysfunctional because it works with the secretary. The one works for government and the other works for tribal office. So, we don’t have the council here,” explains Mpho Montsho, a Camden village resident.
MEC of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, (Coghsta) Bentley Vass, says they welcome the establishment of the commission.
Vass says the commission has been gazetted in terms of legislation and is expected to start its work in July.
“In the recent past, we had to deal with a number of traditional leadership disputes from time to time. The premier resolved to establish Commission of Enquiry to deal with disputes once and for all. The commission has been Gazetted in terms of legislation and will effectively begin with its work in the month of July 2025. We further made an undertaking to engage traditional leaders on all these matters,” explains Vass.
Director at Coghsta, Ogomodiwaemang Toto, says the royal council is the only body that can appoint traditional leaders.
“Disputes are taking us back on traditional leaders. You will find that the only institution that is taken with the identification of traditional leaders is structure called royal council. The government does not appoint,” says Toto.
The provincial government says it will build five traditional council administration offices to the tune of R3,5 million each. This will help support the work of the traditional leaders.
