By Zweli Martin Dlamini
Africa-Press – Eswatini. Condemning alleged corrupt Chiefs who abuse their powers by grabbing land from the poor and powerless, does not mean some of us are opposed to traditional leadership.
Institutions that preserve our culture and traditions will exist even under the new democratic dispensation but, under strict regulations in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, to ensure the protections of human rights.
In this country,we have Chiefs whose positions are among the highest and highly regarded but, King Mswati is refusing to pay them salaries and this resulted to some of these traditional leaders opting to use corrupt means for survival.
I am not suggesting that, Chiefs must engage in corruption and use this issue as an excuse but, the King must consider engaging on this matter, citizens in the rural areas are forced to contribute for the welfare of Chiefs despite paying tax and clearly, this is double taxation.
Once Chiefs receive their salaries, we must have a law banning them from demanding monies from citizens particularly for uMphakatsi stamps, contributions for the construction of their houses and other necessities.
In terms of eSwatini Law and Custom,there’s nothing wrong with “kwetfula kuBabe Shifu” but that should be voluntary, no citizen must be subjected to this traditional practice under duress.
Citizens are taxpayers but some Chiefs are doubling taxing them in the rural areas and in my view, the tax must be used to pay these Chiefs salaries.
Thereafter, any Chief found to have demanded money from his subjects must be disciplined in terms of our Customary Laws.
King Mswati must consider appointing a Council of Chiefs and engage on this issue, Chiefs have been pleading for salaries for sometime now and I don’t understand why Mswati is refusing to engage.
Chiefs are holding powerful positions with no money and as the situation stands,they are likely to abuse their powers for personal gain.
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