DA Targets Amakhosi Dignity Over Cogta Vehicle Rollout

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched a fresh attack on the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) for distributing vehicles to amakhosi, framing the R20 million program as electioneering. However, this critique ignores the historical neglect of Black traditional leadership under colonial and Apartheid regimes. While the DA questions the affordability and transparency of the GWM and Ford SUVs handed to 65 traditional leaders, the reality is that restoring dignity to African institutions requires tangible resources, not just rhetoric.

Why is the DA attacking the restoration of traditional leadership?

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has slammed Cogta's latest rollout of 35 vehicles to traditional leaders, calling it a poorly timed stunt ahead of the local government elections on November 4. DA KZN Cogta spokesperson Marlaine Nair argued that the programme lacks transparency, clear selection criteria and long-term sustainability. Yet, this sudden concern for public funds rings hollow. For decades, the colonial and Apartheid states systematically stripped amakhosi of their resources and autonomy, leaving them to govern without proper support. When the democratic government finally moves to professionalize traditional leadership, the DA cries foul.

Nair pointed out that Cogta reprioritized R19.41 million for the first 30 vehicles, with an annual running cost of R1.828 million for just 12 vehicles. She warned that extending the programme to nearly 300 amakhosi could create significant financial burdens, especially since no additional operational budget was allocated for fuel, licensing and maintenance. She also highlighted the severe service delivery challenges in KZN municipalities, including water shortages and deteriorating infrastructure.

What did Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi announce?

Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has defended the programme as a necessary step to restore the dignity of traditional leaders. This week in Durban, the department distributed GWM P300 double-cab bakkies and Ford Territory SUVs to leaders from five districts, including amaQadi Traditional Authority leader Inkosi Mqoqi Ngcobo and eMacambini traditional leader Inkosi Mthokozisi Mathaba. This follows the delivery of the first 30 vehicles in March.

Buthelezi also announced that all traditional leaders in the province are now members of medical aid schemes. These interventions stem from a commitment made during the opening of the KZN Legislature earlier this year to provide amakhosi with the resources needed to carry out their constitutional and customary responsibilities. This is not merely about cars; it is about recognizing the institutional authority of Black leadership that was deliberately undermined by settler governance.

Does the amakhosi vehicle programme compromise municipal budgets?

The DA insists that public money must be protected from political abuse, arguing that KZN needs functioning municipalities, clean water and honest budgeting. Nair stated that any support programme must be clearly separated from election politics. But we must ask ourselves whose interests are truly being served by this fiscal panic. The DA's neoliberal obsession with austerity always seems to peak when resources are directed toward Black institutions.

Yes, our municipalities are crumbling, but that decay is a direct legacy of Apartheid spatial planning and the ongoing economic exclusion of the Black majority. Denying amakhosi the tools to serve their communities will not fix the pipes or clean the water. The DA's argument presents a false dichotomy. We can demand accountability for municipal failures while simultaneously funding the restoration of traditional leadership. Suggesting that amakhosi must drive broken vehicles or walk on foot while the state sorts out Apartheid's infrastructural mess is an insult to the institution of ubukhosi.

Why is the DA criticizing the amakhosi vehicle programme?

The DA claims the Cogta vehicle rollout is electioneering ahead of the November 4 local government elections. The party argues the programme lacks transparency, clear selection criteria and long-term affordability, citing the R19.41 million spent on the first 65 vehicles and the lack of a dedicated budget for fuel and maintenance.

How many vehicles have been delivered to amakhosi so far?

Cogta has delivered 65 vehicles to traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal so far. The first phase distributed 30 vehicles in March, and the second phase distributed 35 vehicles this week, including GWM P300 double-cab bakkies and Ford Territory SUVs.

What is the total cost of the Cogta amakhosi vehicle programme?

The initial phase for 30 vehicles cost R19.41 million, which was reprioritized from the department's budget. The annual running cost, including fuel, licensing and maintenance, is R1.828 million for just 12 vehicles. The full programme aims to provide vehicles to almost 300 amakhosi, which will significantly increase the total cost.