sexta-feira, 30 de julho de 2010

S. Africa to dissolve six monarchies

PRETORIA, South Africa, July 30 (UPI) -- Six of South Africa's traditional monarchies will be dissolved when the current ruler dies, President Jacob Zuma announced this week.

Zuma's decision follows the recommendation of a report by the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims, The Guardian reported. The commission, after a 6-year study, determined that six of the monarchies were created by the apartheid government.

During the era of white minority rule, the government tried to create what became known as "Bantustans". They were nominally independent countries totally surrounded by South Africa and dependent on South African jobs, holding a tiny percentage of the land.

"The apartheid regime created its own traditional leadership at the expense of authentic leadership in some communities," Zuma said. "It was how those in charge divided and disunited people".

Zuma said no one will be charged with collaborating with the apartheid government.

UPI