Ramaphosa condemns killings of traditional leaders

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the killing of traditional leaders in some parts of the country. He has described it as an ‘affront to the nation’.

Addressing Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in Parliament on the official opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders on Tuesday, the President says, “Let me take this opportunity to strongly condemn the rise in the killings of traditional leaders. This devastating phenomenon has been going on in our country for a number of months. This is an affront to our nation. Already, this year in Mpumalanga, Contralesa National Executive member and Chairperson of the Nzundza Feme Traditional Council, Nkosi Tukwana, was assassinated in Tweefontein near KwaMhlanga.”

Gender-based Violence

Meanwhile, the President has called on Traditional and Khoi-San leaders to play an active role in the fight against Gender-based Violence in their communities.

Ramaphosa says traditional and Khoi-San leaders should be at the forefront in dismissing claims that such criminal acts are done in the name of cultural practices.

“Amakhosi should not allow anyone to abuse women and children claiming that this is permissible in our African culture. We know that such violence is not part of any of our culture. Violence against women and children is not part of the nation that we want to build, your majesties.”