17.02.2026
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Over 280 KZN traditional leaders become Commissioners of Oaths

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  • Confirmation of 288 Amakhosi as Commissioners of Oaths at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre.

KwaZulu-Natal rural communities will no longer have to travel long distances to certify documents, after over 280 traditional leaders have been empowered to be Commissioners of Oaths. 

288 amakhosi were officially confirmed by KZN Premier Thami Ntuli to perform this duty and given certificates in a ceremony held in Mayville, west of Durban, on Monday. 

According to the Justices of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths Act, traditional leaders are authorised to act as Commissioners of Oaths within their areas of jurisdiction.  

The training from the Justice and Constitutional Development Department will allow amakhosi to handle matters within their traditional councils and courts, such as certifying documents and administering oaths.  

KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inkosi Sifiso Shinga says this will play big role in communities since people were traveling long distance to police station to certify. 

“That will play a very big role in our communities, we all know that the rule areas, in the past, the police stations and the courts are very far from those areas. People from the rural areas use to travel some distances to get this kind of assistance of service. So, as amakhosi we appreciate it in the sense that people will no more travel long distances, will get help where they reside.” 

Inkosi Shinga says for now it’s only the traditional leaders who have undergone the training who are authorised to perform these duties.  

“It’s only amakhosi because amakhosi have undergone training with the Department of Justice so anyone who wishes to assist or Inkosi is busy with other community services, maybe in other structures Inkosi may ask the secretary to take the course and also the secretary must be assigned to be authorised to be the commissioner of oaths.” 

Inkosi N. Mkhwanazi says the programme has strengthened and sharpened their leadership skills to guide communities in the right direction.

 

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