Amakhosi demand removal of undocumented migrants

Ask AI 3minFrom left is the Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu monarch, Inkosi uPhathisizwe Chiliza, the President of ROLESA, Kgoshi Mogakolodi and National Organiser of ROLESA Prince Manene Tabane.

Traditional leaders from various traditional authorities have united under an umbrella organisation  the Royal Leaders of South Africa (ROLESA), to demand that undocumented migrants leave land under traditional councils.

The organisation launched in 2022, had Durban launch Thokoza Hostel on Thursday, with its leaders accusing the government of failing to address illegal migration and neglecting to consult traditional leaders on matters affecting their communities.

The Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu monarch, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, said traditional leaders were prepared to defend the country against what he described as a threat posed by undocumented migrants.

He said he was prepared to lay down his life rather than allow the country to be taken over by foreign nationals, adding that undocumented migrants should return to their home countries.

Chiliza blamed the government for allowing the illegal migration issue to persist for years, saying its failure to address it had turned it into an explosive matter.

He called for all undocumented foreign nationals to leave areas under traditional councils.

Chiliza said the situation would be different if more foreign nationals possessed scarce skills, arguing that many were instead entering informal trading.

“The problem is that we are talking about people who leave their home countries and become vendors here. They are doing things that could be done by anyone who’s local. We regard them as people who are taking away the livelihoods of South Africans,” said Chiliza.

He said it would be irresponsible for traditional leaders to remain silent while, in his view, the country was being taken over. He added that future generations would not forgive them for failing to act.

Chiliza urged all traditional leaders to take undocumented migration seriously, saying land and the economy were issues that Amakhosi needed to defend.

ROLESA President Kgoshi Mogakolodi Masibi said the organisation was established partly because the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) had become weak.

The the umbrella organisation represents kings, queens and members of royal families across South Africa.

“We thought it was a good idea to establish an organisation for traditional leaders that is passionate about issues and holds a different view on matters. We are talking about an organisation that will be vocal, one that will not end up working with the government,” said Masibi.

Masibi expressed concern over the case involving Kgoshi Letsiri Phaahla, the traditional leader of the Phaahla Makadikwe Traditional Council in Ga-Phaahla Village, Limpopo, who issued eviction notices to undocumented foreign nationals and subsequently had a case opened against him.

Five applicants, including foreign shop owners and a local resident who rents property to them, filed an urgent notice of motion in response to the attempted closures.

Phaahla has defended his actions and criticised the Constitution for failing to protect ordinary citizens. He has also linked tensions in the area to wider national concerns, including a Constitutional Court ruling that, in his view, allows individuals to apply for asylum regardless of how they entered the country.

The Limpopo provincial government condemned the eviction order, arguing that traditional leaders do not have the legal authority to arbitrarily evict people or drive them out of communities.

The matter is scheduled to be heard in the Sekhukhune District Court on November 27, 2026, when Phaahla is expected to show cause against a final halting order.

Inkosi Fisukwazi Hlatshwayo of the Hlatshwayo clan in Nquthu, who chairs ROLESA in KwaZulu-Natal, expressed concern about relations between traditional leaders and the government, accusing the latter of making decisions without consulting Amakhosi.

He said the lack of consultation was particularly evident in development projects, with traditional leaders often learning about them only when work began.

Hlatshwayo said this needed to be addressed urgently, adding that Amakhosi should benefit from development projects in their areas, particularly those involving mining.

He expressed hope that ROLESA would help address undocumented migration and improve relations between traditional leaders and the government.