There is an urgent need to vote out the Vaalgras Traditional Authority

Vaalgras disgruntled resident writes:

I write this despite the recent unpleasant and probably unbecoming articles in the newspaper.

The Vaalgras Traditional Authority has once again given a clear indication that they are boycotting all Government activities hosted by the Governor’s [Clinton Swartbooi] Office for reasons known to them only. This is not a good gesture for an office that has that responsibility to initiate and promote developmental efforts within the community.

Equally, are they duty-bound in terms of Section 3[c] of the Traditional Authorities Act No.25 of 2000 “ … to uphold, promote, protect and preserve the culture, language, tradition and traditional values of their communities”. Now imagine how they would do this if the community is divided like that. To our disbelief the Traditional Authority does not even attempt to bring together the community or to find the lost sheep from the herd. This clearly means that they are quite happy with the status quo.

Traditional Councillors Willem Apollus and Emmanuel Hinda, the usual two scapegoats were the only councilllors who attended the historic anniversary on 21 March. They have shown their patriotism and bravery to co-operate with the Government, although they are operating in fear of being fired from the Council. I dare the Traditional Authority to take that decision to consider any disciplinary actions against those two councillors, then the community and the Government will intervene in an unspecified manner.

As indicated earlier on Section 8 [1] and Section 10 [2] of the Traditional Authorities Act No.25 of 2000 that directly deal with “the removal of a Chief, Senior Councillor or a Traditional Councillor would be applied in letter and spirit. I wonder what disregard they have for the authorities and those in positions of power.

They should simply concede that they are redundant and that the status quo would remain unchanged. As Mr. Eric Biwa wrote earlier, the “liar would end up the loser at the end of the day, but somebody has to account for what is happening. I really don’t know what we are waiting for instead of convening the proposed urgent community meeting to set out modalities for the proposed ousting plan, the earlier the better. However, we are well aware of a small coterie of the community who do not notice the wrong-doings of these leaders.

The latter group are either benefitting from the schemes and/or are indebted to this “old men’s club” of autocrats in one way or the other as they are protecting them. The situation is creating farreaching consequences, it borders on blackmail, blocking of economic developmental efforts and a need to act now.

We should perhaps assign somebody to convene the aforesaid meeting as soon as possible. We have taken stock of what happened over the past 36 years, which amounts to economic sabotage and poverty?