Traditional leader accuses Cogta of delaying his recognition

The traditional leader of AmaNtungwa in oPhongolo, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Inkosi Khulekani Mntungwa is accusing the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department of stifling his recognition as a leader because of political reasons.

The traditional leader of AmaNtungwa in oPhongolo, Inkosi Khulekani Mntungwa, has accused the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) of failing to recognise him despite a 2021 Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling in his favour.

Mntungwa claims the provincial government has been dragging its feet on formally recognising him as the traditional leader of AmaNtungwa and has appealed to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa to intervene.

He said it was evident that the provincial Cogta department was unwilling to implement his nomination as the traditional leader of AmaNtungwa.

Mntungwa emerged victorious in a legal dispute brought by Inkosi Landokwakhe Ntshangase over the Phondweni area in oPhongolo.