THE Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA on Wednesday defended the practise of paying the country’s unelected traditional leaders from the public purse, saying they provided valuable service to more than 18 million people. Those leaders which held public office “of a political type” were entitled to salaries, pensions, medical aid benefits, subsidised accommodation, and travelling and car allowances, Contralesa said in a statement. It accused opponents of African Royalty of racism and undermining “an integral part of the African tradition”.