Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

KwaZulu-Natal's traditional leaders received R4,8 million for their travel expenses in line with new provincial government tariffs.

The province has 290 traditional leaders.

Presenting the budget of the finance and economic affairs department, MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu said the new tariffs would help amakhosi to carry out their day-to-day operations.

He said the increase was as a result of regular interactions with the traditional leaders.

"An important issue often raised by amakhosi was that for a long time their travel allowance rate had been fixed at R1,20 a kilometre. This was regardless of the increase in petrol costs and other travel expenses," the MEC said.

He also said that traditional council members would be paid subsistence and travel allowances for the first time.

"The allowance will focus on compensation for travel to meetings and also catering. Allowances will be paid directly into members' bank accounts from September 1 2008," Mabuyakhulu said.

Mpiyezintombi Mzimela, deputy chairman of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, said he would comment after he had seen the budget.