THOHOYANDOU – The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) in Vhembe district meets on Sunday morning at the old parliament buildings in Thohoyandou.

Contralesa chairperson in the district, Headman Ravhalitsheni Sumbana said their meeting is part of preparations for the annual general meeting to be held at the University of Potchefstroom in October.

Sumbana said that among issues to be discussed, is the issue of traditional leaders whose salaries have been cut by the government.

He said that most of the traditional leaders who were employed by the government as teachers, police officers, and health officials or in any other department had their salaries cut since last year. The process is still continuing up to now.

However, Sumbana said they were concerned that the same is not happening to other government employees who are council members. "It is like only traditional leaders are targeted here. We have a situation where a person who is a teacher or working anywhere in the government is also getting allowances for being a councillor and other benefits. This clearly shows that we as traditional leaders, are targeted," said Sumbana while also adding that they will discuss this issue and see what they can do.

The meeting will start at 09:00.