​Thembisa Shologu
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, on Tuesday, officially launched the provincial Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims. 
The commission will restore the dignity and integrity of traditional leaders in the province.
Over the past few years, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has been inundated with requests for the recognition of traditional leaders and ongoing disputes between recognised traditional communities.
The disputes and claims varied from people applying for leadership positions in the absence of traditional communities to cases of recognition requests for townships to be recognised as traditional communities. 
In May, the provincial government appointed the commission's leadership to attend to and resolve all disputes and claims more effectively and expeditiously. 
A panel of technical experts on traditional matters supports this work, in line with Section 62 of the Gauteng Traditional Leadership and Governance Act, Act No. 4 of 2010.
Addressing delegates at Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg, Premier Lesufi said the provincial government was committed to correcting history's wrongs and cancelling the miscarriage of justice. 
"Today, we are starting a very important process to place our leaders where they belong and ensure peace and prosperity in our communities. 
"Today we are starting a crucial process of saying we are tired of insults, we are tired of war, we want to start a peace process that will present our leaders in their rightful places so they can lead us with peace," Lesufi told the delegates. 
He said the government was unleashing a process that would bring everyone together and resolve differences peacefully.
In committing to this, Lesufi acknowledged it would take work.
"There will be difficulties, misunderstandings. There will be those who feel left out and those who will think that their views were not incorporated. However, what is important is that we have created a platform to resolve our differences. 
"We commit ourselves to ensure that whatever we do, we will do it together. Whatever we say, we will say together. We commit ourselves that whatever new laws or processes are introduced, we will consult you and respect your views, which is important if you have to build a new nation."
According to Lesufi, the provincial government will provide support, give guidance, and resolve all issues that confront everyone; he said adding that these will include the fight against corruption, illegal land invasion and cultural diversity, among others.
Member of the Commission, Advocate Khavhareni Mahumani, said the commission's establishment has provided residents of Gauteng an opportunity to submit their legitimate claims for the recognition of traditional community and traditional leadership of senior traditional leader or headman or woman positions.  
"Over time, policymakers and legislators need to develop our customary law rather than always referring to it as if it were subordinate to the Constitution."
CoGTA MEC Mzi Khumalo said people needed to raise issues with respect.
He echoed the sentiment that the Constitution needed to co-exist with customary law or indigenous law. 
"Through your traditional leadership, we want you to help us restore those values that were destroyed in 1652, " said Khumalo.