KZN rolls out another 35 SUVs for Amakhosi as questions over programme persist
The department has procured 35 vehicles, some of which were handed over by MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi in Durban Monday.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has begun the latest phase of its programme to provide official vehicles to traditional leaders.
The department has procured 35 vehicles, some of which were handed over by MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi to Amakhosi in Durban on Monday.
The distribution of the vehicles forms part of Buthelezi’s commitment announced during the 2026 Opening of the KZN Legislature to equip traditional leaders with the resources required to fulfil their constitutional and customary responsibilities.
ALSO READ| KZN’s close to 300 Amakhosi to get brand new SUVs
Following Monday’s launch, the programme will continue in the following years until all the province’s close to 300 Amakhosi have received the vehicles.
The vehicles, Cogta said, would enable amakhosi to improve their mobility, respond more effectively to community challenges and strengthen collaboration with government in delivering services, particularly in rural areas.
“Through this sustained investment, KZN COGTA continues to deepen its partnership with Amakhosi to advance responsive governance and uplift rural communities across all corners of KZN,” the department said.
The latest distribution follows an earlier phase that attracted criticism after the department spent close to R20 million on 30 sport utility vehicles for traditional leaders.
At the time, the department confirmed that the procurement had not been budgeted for in the 2025/26 financial year and was instead funded through savings from other programmes.
The vehicle procurement also sparked political controversy, with some opposition parties alleging it formed part of Buthelezi’s IFP campaign ahead of the November Local Government Elections.
ALSO READ| DA seeks clarity over vehicles handed to amakhosi
However, Buthelezi has rejected the allegations, describing them as “spurious and unfounded”.
Questions have also been raised about the affordability of the programme as the province continues to face financial constraints.
KZN Legislature Cogta portfolio committee chairperson Marlaine Nair recently said the committee remained concerned about the programme’s long-term sustainability and intended seeking further clarity from the department.
Defending the procurement before the legislature, Buthelezi reminded MPLs that Cogta’s mandate – which he said extends beyond municipal support, includes strengthening traditional leadership institutions.
Empowering amakhosi with the necessary tools of trade, Buthelezi said, was essential to promoting peace, preserving cultural heritage and supporting rural development throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
ALSO READ| KZN Cogta under fire as MK joins DA in amakhosi vehicle probe
During Monday’s handover, Buthelezi also announced that the department would be extending medical aid benefits to Amakhosi
“I can confirm that as I speak, all Amakhosi in KZN now have medical aid benefits so that they can be able to access medical services whenever they need them,” he said.
