GCIS
The Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in the Eastern Cape, Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana was placed on precautionary suspension by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Xolile Nqata.
In a statement on Thursday, Nqata said that the suspension was “based on allegations that he had contravened Covid 19 regulations.”
The allegations against Nkosi Nonkonyana was that he had attended the funeral of a family member at a village in Ingquza Hill Local Municipality which was allegedly conducted outside the stipulations of lockdown regulations.
Nqata said the probe into the authenticity of the allegations will be done speedily and it would remain in force pending the outcome of the investigation.
The MEC said that the Deputy Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Nkosi Langa Mavuso, will act in the absence of chief Nonkonyana.
“The Executive (Exco) of the House was consulted about the MEC's decision and “they expressed their objections to it.”
Nqata said the decision taken is in the interest of the Chairperson himself, the Provincial House and the entire Eastern Cape government to flatten the curve against Covid 19.
“I am of the firm view that it is important that as leadership we speak with one voice and avoid contradictory statements as we battle the pandemic," he said.
Meanwhile, the MEC said the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee also supported the government's decision to suspend the winter traditional initiation season.
