04 Aug 2016

Traditional leaders have been requested to exercise diligence when dealing with issues of bogosi to avoid constant appeals that often land at the ministry or the courts of law.

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen, made the appeal during a consultative meeting with dikgosi on the powers of dikgosi saying such actions resulted in huge costs for government.

Mr Van Der Westhuizen said he was disturbed, in particular, by disputes involving succession. 

He noted that a number of complainants had approached his ministry with issues that ordinarily could have been dealt with at their respective dikgotla.

He also emphasised the need for dikgosi to be actively involved in the affairs of their villages, and that, as leaders, they should show concern over issues harmful to their culture.

The assistant minister said the nation was bedeviled with social ills such as teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and vandalism, among others, which needed them to reflect on together with other stakeholders for lasting solutions.

He noted that traditional leaders were custodians of culture and role models of their communities; therefore, they were in a better position to address harmful cultural practices in order to prevent social ills.

He said his ministry recognised the role that the bogosi institution played in nation building, cultural preservation, as well as the delivery of justice at the customary courts.

In addition, he said bogosi also played an active role in the development of the country; hence for the past three years the ministry had been giving priority to the department of Tribal Administration in the allocation of vehicles, network connectivity, maintenance of facilities, construction of offices, and capacity building.

“This will remain a priority for the ministry until the existing imbalances have been addressed. We are aware that more still has to be done because we view the institution as critical in nation building,” he added. ENDS