WE HAVE STARTED questions about the action of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Indigenous Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal to give luxury cars to kings.
The DA has written to the Minister of this department, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, wanting to know more about these 30 vehicles, which were announced during the opening of the home of the indigenous leadership in KwaZulu-Natal, last week. DA Spokesperson for Governance and Indigenous Affairs in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Mrs Marlaine Nair, said the giving of cars to the chiefs left them with many questions.
Mrs. Nair said that they do not object to the department helping the kings, but said that they just want to ensure that the department followed all the rules when buying cars.
“We respect the important role played by the kings in KwaZulu-Natal, and we do not oppose the support of the kings. The only thing that makes us have questions is that we want to ensure that all policies are followed.”
Mrs Nair said they wanted Buthelezi to explain how much these cars cost, and that their purchase was already in the department’s plans.
“Wasn’t the money that was planned for something else taken when the cars were bought? What made this type of car to be chosen? Will the department have the money to continue with this plan?”
Mrs. Nair said they want to know whether these cars belong to the kings or the councils of kings.
“If the king bows down, will the car be given to the next person on the throne?”
Mrs. Nair said they want to know if the department will be the one to repair these vehicles. “Is the department the one who will bear the cost of repairing the cars, insurance and putting in petrol. Won’t these cars become the responsibility of the department?”
Buthelezi said he had not yet received the DA’s questions. According to a document posted by the department on social media, 30 cars were given to chiefs who are part of the executive council in the house of the indigenous leadership in KwaZulu-Natal. It also benefited the chairmen and vice chairmen of the indigenous leadership houses in the regions.
The ministry said that these vehicles will make it easier for the chiefs to do the work of the nation. There are SUV-type vans and four-door vans, double cabs.
Silo Misuzulu Sinqobile of Zwelithini, will officially hand over these cars to the kings at a meeting to be held on Thursday, at the palace in Mashobeni. The meeting was called to deliberate on the fund that oversees Zulu land, the Ngonyama Trust.