Mashatile urges Traditional Leaders to support efforts to ensure free, fair and safe elections

Johnathan Paoli

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called upon traditional leaders throughout the country, to encourage eligible voters to participate in the upcoming elections and to facilitate a free and fair environment.

In his capacity as the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on matters of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders, DP Mashatile delivered a keynote address during a dialogue convened by the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Mashatile urged traditional leaders to do their part in order to guarantee the right of voters within their communities to exercise their democratic right to participate in the country’s elections, a right he said “was hard fought for and must never be taken for granted”.

There has been an increase in violent attacks on traditional leaders and Mashatile has called for  cooperation between the government and traditional authorities in stemming the growing tide.

“As an institution located