FROM: BENJAMIN TJAKO SETSUBI

COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON: CONSTITUTION THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT BILL & CROSS BOUNDARY MUNICIPALITIES LAWS REPEAL AMENDMENT BILL

Remarks based on the past and at present.

The so-called Maluti was started in 1976 when the town of MatatieIe was divorced from its rural areas. And was incorporated to Natal. This was the time when the Transkei was granted independence. The aim to shift Matatiele to Natal was to protect the white people against the black rule of Transkei. This was done by the apartheid Government without consultation with the rural areas of Matatiele. Then "Maluti Region' was started. Matatiele rural areas, Mt Fletcher and Herschel were grouped under this new region. Chiefs from this newly formed region held their quarterly meetings at Mt Fletcher. This newly formed region had some tint of tribalism. Hlubis and Basothos grouped together.

The people of Matatiele were not happy that they were separated from their town which offered them the basic needs of life. They then started voicing their opinion about this. To silence them, a bill call Proclamation R400 (Not Rand), was passed in Parliament of Transkei. This bill stated that, who so ever showed dissatisfaction towards the Government of Transkei would be put into custody for a period of from one month to six months without trial. Indeed this happened around 1978 when the following people were put into custody without trial:

1. The late Chief Neo Sibi 2. The late Nthoabohlokoa Moshoeshoe 3. The late Solomon Rajuili 4. The late Albert Gugushe, and others, of those still alive is: Letsema lecheko and Mrs Nomkhitha Kotelana.

This is a clear proof that the people of the rural area of Matatiele have been forced to accept to be under the Eastern Cape from 1976. A period of 31 years under oppression. By the way, this was the warning from the late chief K.D. Matanzima "Quote "Xelelani abo. Besu Tshwana ukuthi bayadelala, Mabathathe imirashwana yabo nemigo dlana yaba, baphinde Qwa Qwa bashiye umhlaba waseTranskei" Since that time the people of rural araasof Matatiele have been living under fear, discrimination and oppression by the people of the Eastern Cape (Formerly Matatiele was under East Griqualand.)

The majority of the rural people are against being incorporated under Eastern Cape.

Politicians who hold high positions in government are the ones who are highly in favour of the Eastern Cape because they are nursing their own stomachs at the expense of the people at grass roots level. These politicians play on the ignorance of the rural people. They instill fear into them, saying if they (rural people) are not for the Eastern Cape, their support grand's will be withdrawn. They are cheated to sing forms in favour of the Eastern Cape. All sorts of foul means are used to win the battle against Kzn. A referendum would be the only fair solution. From Matatiele to Alfred Nzo District Municipality seat - Mt Ayliff, the route passes through Kokstad, Which is in kwa-Zulu Natal. How is this accounted for?

The pinch of the shoe is felt by the wearer. Please, let the people of the affected areas decide their own fate.