​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has committed to supporting the work of the newly appointed Gauteng Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims. 
"Government remains committed to strengthening the institution of traditional leadership and appreciates the role it plays in the community and national building," Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC Lebogang Maile said on Thursday.
Over the past few years, the department was inundated with requests for recognition of traditional leaders and ongoing disputes between recognised traditional communities.
In addition, 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. 
The provincial government appointed the Commission to attend to and resolve all disputes and claims more effectively and expeditiously, with the assistance of a panel of technical experts on traditional matters. This is in line with Section 62 of the 
Gauteng Traditional Leadership and Governance Act, Act No. 4 of 2010.
"We expect that the newly appointed commission and the group of experts will help us resolve traditional leadership disputes so that the institute of traditional leadership can enhance governance and oversight and address community," said Maile.
Commissioners appointed are: Professor Mziwoxolo Sirayi who will serve as the chairperson, Uhuru Moiloa, Pumla Madiba, and Advocate Khavhareni Mahumani.
The technical experts include associate Professor Elmien Du Plessis; an expert in customary law, community engagement and the interpretation of the law as well as Professor Mandla Mchunu; an expert in legislation on traditional leadership and
Johan Meiring, who is an anthropology expert with over 40 years of experience in traditional institutional management.