Tribal Levies: Undemocratic Powers of Taxation
Sonto George chief of Mahonisi village photographed in the Royal enclosure. Mahonisi is a Shangan and Tsonga community in rural Limpopo. Their village is administered under a Traditional Authority that charges levies to them for letters of recognition so that they can access government services such as birth, marriage and death certificates. Other South African citizens not living under Traditional Authorities do not need to pay levies for these services and documents.
Like many communities across the South Africa the Mahonisi community is frustrated with the lack of basic service delivery in their village. They do not know where the money they spend on levies goes.
These photographs were taken at a community meeting with the Legal Resources Centre for legal advice regarding the practicalities of breaking way and forming their own Traditional Authority.
Mahonisis Village, Gazankulu, Limpopo, South Africa
©Zute & Demelza Lightfoot / Legal Resources Centre
