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.