The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) has issued a strong condemnation following separate shooting incidents targeting two of South Africa’s most prominent traditional leaders.
The attacks targeted Morena Neo Mopeli, Chairperson of the Free State Provincial House, and Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena, Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Provincial House and current President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA).
The NHTKL has declared that the safety of traditional leaders is “not negotiable” and is calling for urgent intervention from the national government.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, NHTKL Chairperson Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo said there were similarities in the circumstances surrounding the two attacks.
“We remain cautious because these incidents occurred in two provinces located far apart. While it is still unclear whether they are linked or exactly what transpired, the leadership of the National House is deeply concerned about these ongoing attacks on traditional leaders,” said Kgosi Seatlholo.
In response to the escalating violence, Kgosi Seatlholo said the NHTKL had formally approached the national leadership to secure immediate and practical security measures.
“A formal letter has been drafted to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, urging the state to implement a sustainable protection strategy.
“We request that appropriate protection services be rolled out immediately, starting with the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of all provincial Houses and eventually extending to all traditional leaders,” he added.
Kgosi Seatlholo further said the NHTKL was concerned that approximately 48 traditional leaders had been killed across the country over several years leading up to 2024, with many of the cases remaining unresolved. He said this highlighted a clear pattern of attacks.
“Looking at these figures, it means that we, as traditional leaders, are incredibly vulnerable. It is no longer safe for a Kgosi to walk around freely.
“The reality is that we make major decisions that often upset certain individuals. When business owners approach our villages, we sometimes have to turn them away to protect our people from being taken for a ride. By doing our duty, we end up with targets on our backs.
“We must also remember that Kgosi Mokoena is the President of CONTRALESA. In leading the organisation, he has to take firm stances on highly contentious issues, such as illegal immigration, which inevitably rub some people up the wrong way,” stressed Kgosi Seatlholo.
Furthermore, he said the NHTKL would be forced to approach the President directly if the COGTA Minister failed to address its plea as a matter of urgency.
The NHTKL reiterated that traditional leaders could not fulfil their crucial community responsibilities, including conflict resolution, rural development and cultural preservation, while living in constant fear for their lives.
