DA Targets Amakhosi Vehicle Programme Ahead of Elections

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has heavily criticized the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) for rolling out 35 new government-funded vehicles to traditional leaders, calling it electioneering. While Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi defends the programme as a necessary step to restore the dignity of amakhosi, the DA raises questions about affordability and transparency. The debate exposes a deep tension between the historical marginalization of Black traditional leadership and the urgent socio-economic needs of impoverished communities.

Why is the DA criticizing the amakhosi vehicle rollout?

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has slammed Cogta's latest distribution of GWM P300 double-cab bakkies and Ford Territory SUVs to traditional leaders, arguing that the timing ahead of the November local government elections points to political vote-buying. DA KZN Cogta spokesperson Marlaine Nair stated that while the party supports traditional leadership, the programme lacks transparency, clear selection criteria and long-term financial sustainability.

Nair pointed out that Cogta spent nearly R20 million on the first 30 vehicles earlier this year, with R19.41 million reprioritized for this initiative. She also revealed that Cogta confirmed no additional operational budget was allocated to Traditional Councils for fuel, licensing, maintenance and repairs. With the annual running cost for just 12 vehicles sitting at R1.828 million, extending this programme to almost 300 amakhosi could impose massive financial burdens on the province or the councils themselves.

Is the restoration of amakhosi dignity being weaponized for votes?

Mec Buthelezi announced that 65 amakhosi will benefit from the current phase, which follows a commitment made during the opening of the KZN Legislature earlier this year. He also confirmed that all traditional leaders in the province are now members of medical aid schemes, framing these interventions as proof of the provincial government's commitment to professionalizing and restoring the institution of traditional leadership.

However, the DA argues that this rollout is overshadowed by the dire state of KZN municipalities. Communities across the province are still battling severe water shortages, sewage spills, deteriorating infrastructure and rampant unauthorised expenditure. Nair argued that public money must be protected from political abuse, insisting that KZN needs functioning municipalities and clean water above all else.

Does colonial paternalism drive the backlash against traditional leadership?

There is an undeniable historical context that the DA consistently ignores when questioning resources allocated to amakhosi. Traditional leadership was systematically stripped of its authority and dignity by colonial and Apartheid regimes. Providing amakhosi with the tools to carry out their constitutional and customary responsibilities is an act of restorative justice, not a luxury.

Yet, a truly pro-Black, leftist analysis must also question whether the state is genuinely empowering traditional leaders or merely creating a captured elite. Handing over expensive SUVs without budgeting for fuel and maintenance sets traditional councils up for financial failure. Furthermore, reprioritizing R19.41 million for luxury vehicles while the Black majority suffers without basic services like water and sanitation reveals a troubling hierarchy of needs in provincial governance. True restitution for traditional leadership cannot come at the expense of the masses they serve.

What vehicles were distributed to traditional leaders?

Cogta distributed 35 vehicles this week, including GWM P300 double-cab bakkies and Ford Territory SUVs. This follows the delivery of the first 30 vehicles in March. Recipients included Inkosi Mqoqi Ngcobo of the amaQadi Traditional Authority, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza and eMacambini traditional leader Inkosi Mthokozisi Mathaba.

How much does the amakhosi vehicle programme cost?

The first phase of the programme cost R19.41 million for 30 vehicles. The annual running cost for just 12 of these vehicles is R1.828 million, covering expenses like fuel, tyres, servicing, licensing and insurance. The DA has demanded full disclosure of the latest rollout costs and the projected expenses if the programme expands to nearly 300 amakhosi.

Who pays for the fuel and maintenance of the amakhosi vehicles?

According to Cogta's responses to parliamentary questions, no additional operational budget was allocated to Traditional Councils for vehicle-related costs. This means the financial burden for fuel, licensing, maintenance and repairs will likely fall on the Traditional Councils themselves, raising serious concerns about the programme's long-term sustainability.