Tougher codes for chiefs
Provincial house cracks down on delinquency
Eastern Cape traditional leaders have officially been told to stop drinking excessively and harassing their subjects.
A new code of conduct published by the province’s premier Phumulo Masualle this week demands that traditional leaders stop conducting themselves in a “disgraceful, improper or unbecoming manner”.
Breaches will lead to the removal of a traditional leader after a misconduct enquiry.
It also demands that they not sexually harass members of their traditional councils, the house of traditional leaders or members of the public in general.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman, Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, has previously slammed traditional leaders who abuse alcohol, reportedly saying the “bottle has destroyed many and their great places”.
The code also demands that traditional leaders perform their duties in good faith, diligently, honestly, in a transparent manner and not be involved in fighting.
It bars them from using insults and unacceptable language, engaging in acts considered abusive to members of the public and that of his or her family and domestic violence against women and children.
Traditional leaders are also required to “dress in a presentable manner”.
The 2005 version of the code was not specific in the conduct it regulated, and only barred “disgraceful, improper or unbecoming” behaviour.
Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) provincial chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana told Sowetan yesterday that the organisation had requested a copy of the new law to study.
Nonkonyana said Contralesa had not been consulted during the drafting of the new code of conduct.
The new code of conduct also requires traditional leaders to promote unity among their communities, nation building, disclose gifts received and not to embark on action that would create division within or among their subjects.
Traditional leaders may also not refuse to provide services to their subjects on political or ideological grounds.
They must foster good relations with the organs of state with whom they interact and promote the principles of a democratic and open society.
Imposing traditional levies is also not allowed unless residents agree to make voluntary contributions, which must not be collected unless the majority of residents consent at a meeting to pay them but only for financing a specific project.