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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, MEC, Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has today welcomed the arrests of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Speaker of Nongoma Local Municipality on charges of fraud and corruption.

These arrests, he said, send a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated and demonstrate the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption and restoring accountability within municipalities.

The MEC made this remarks during a meeting held at the council chamber of the Nongoma Local Municipality, where the MEC met with all councillors and introduced Mr. Mpumelelo Bongani Mnguni as the new Acting Municipal Manager.

This appointment follows a recent High Court judgment that set aside the previous appointments of the Acting Municipal Manager and Acting! Chief Financial Officer.

The court judgment highlighted the significant financial strain on the municipality due to frivolous legal battles.

To address this issue and ensure effective service delivery, the MEC has appointed Mr. Mnguni, a seasoned local government professional, to lead the municipality. However, the municipality faces significant financial challenges, with employee costs exceeding 50% of the budget, an overdraft, and exhausted project grants.

The Acting Municipal Manager has been tasked with stabilising the financial situation and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

The MEC for Cogta remains committed to supporting all municipalities in the province and will continue to take decisive action to uphold the law and ensure that municipalities deliver on their mandate.

Issued by:
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Nquthu Local Municipality: The lives of residents in the small town of Nquthu have significantly improved following a R30 million investment by the department to enhance basic services. This investment includes the rollout of solar street lights and the electrification of 500 households.

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Today, the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, visited the municipality to officially switch on 203 solar street lights and 2 mast lights. These installations have greatly improved the safety of residents in Ward 9, which encompasses the town of Nquthu.

During the visit, MEC Buthelezi praised his predecessor, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, for her strategic foresight in directing this investment towards improving the lives of Nquthu’s residents. The new world-class street lights have notably enhanced community security.

MEC Buthelezi also commended the municipality for efficiently executing the project, which has positively impacted residents’ lives. As part of the visit, the MEC handed over a water tanker to the municipality to improve residents’ access to water while major infrastructure projects are underway.

Additionally, the MEC announced further funding of R10 million to expand the solar street lights beyond Ward 9. Speaking to Nquthu residents, the MEC reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the municipality with initiatives aimed at economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life.

Nondabuya, Jozini Local Municipality: The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has announced an investigation into the R151 million Nondabuya water scheme. This project was intended to deliver water to 2,400 households within the Jozini Local Municipality but has failed to meet its objectives.

Today, during a fact-finding mission in Ward 19, MEC Buthelezi met with over 1,000 residents who have not benefitted from the project. Residents expressed their hardships, with Victor Mpontshane urging the MEC to leave no stone unturned in uncovering the reasons behind the project’s failure. Thokozani Mkhwamubi shared a tragic story of a 9-year-old boy who drowned in kwaShukela, highlighting the severe impact of the water shortage on the community.

MEC Buthelezi responded to these concerns by committing to a thorough investigation into the utilisation of the funds. He noted that only 700 households currently have access to water, which is less than 30% of the intended beneficiaries, with the whole budget for the project having been spent already. The project, funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant and executed by the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, has not achieved its goals.

“It is unacceptable that such an investment has not yielded the intended results. We will thoroughly investigate the reasons behind this failure and take appropriate action to rectify the situation,” stated MEC Buthelezi. He also indicated that the investigation could lead to criminal prosecution where necessary.

Additionally, MEC Buthelezi directed disaster management teams to provide all necessary support to the family of the deceased child, including burial assistance.

Ends

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has called for peace and stability in the Onyango villages in Nongoma, Ward 14, where conflicts between villagers have tragically resulted in 10 fatalities.

Today, the MEC led a provincial government delegation to meet with the community, urging an end to the violence that has disrupted schooling and forced some residents to sleep in the bushes out of fear for their lives.

In his remarks, the MEC stated, “This meeting marks the beginning of the end of hostilities in the Onyango villages. We must come together as a community to restore peace and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.”

The MEC also emphasised the importance of allowing law enforcement agencies to conduct their investigations into the murders that have occurred in the community. Additionally, the MEC committed to working with other departments to host social engagements in December to quell tensions, including a soccer tournament and other activities that will benefit the elderly.

The meeting was also attended by Senior Members of the Royal Family, the Mayor of the Zululand District, Councillor Khumalo, and the Mayor of the Nongoma Local Municipality, Councillor Ndabandaba. All attendees echoed the call for peace and the restoration of order in the community.

Issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department

As the world commemorates the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, there is a critical need for climate change resilience in our communities. Recent events, such as the wildfires in June and July and the severe snowstorm in October, show just how susceptible our communities are to the effects of climate change. These events underscore the urgent necessity for robust disaster management strategies.

The provincial government, under the leadership of Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, is dedicated to advancing policies that promote climate change awareness and preparedness. We are committed to implementing comprehensive measures to enhance our ability to anticipate, respond to, and recover from such disasters. This includes investing in early warning systems, improving infrastructure resilience, and fostering community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives.

Furthermore, a review of the local government funding model with a special emphasis on disaster prevention is fundamental if we are to respond effectively to what climate change demands of us. The implementation of a ward-based special grant dedicated to disaster prevention is critical. This targeted funding will ensure that each community has the resources necessary to implement effective disaster risk reduction measures.

Education and public awareness are also crucial in building a culture of preparedness. This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction focuses on the theme “Empowering the next generation for a resilient future,” highlighting the role of education in protecting and empowering children for a disaster-free future. By equipping our youth with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively to disasters, we can significantly mitigate their impact and safeguard our communities.

As we commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a resilient KwaZulu-Natal. Together, we can create a future where our communities are better equipped to withstand the challenges posed by climate change.

Issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department is aware of a water outage in the Msunduzi Local Municipality, affecting the northern areas, including wards 28 and 29, since yesterday, Friday, 11 October 2024. The department is actively engaging with the municipality, the bulk water provider uMngeni-uThukela Water, and the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure the issue is resolved promptly and sustainably.

The department has deployed two water tankers to provide relief to these distressed communities.

The department has directed the relevant authorities to also activate backup plans to ensure that the communities are provided with water whilst the infrastructure and water supply issues are resolved. Msunduzi Municipality has also dispatched water tankers.

Issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department

Pietermaritzburg, 9 October 2024 – The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, engaged with the Parliament’s Cogta Portfolio Committee, chaired by Dr Zweli Mkhize, during its oversight visit to the Msunduzi Local Municipality today.

In his remarks to the Committee, MEC Buthelezi provided an overview of the state of governance and service delivery within the municipality. He commended the council of the Msunduzi Local Municipality for their willingness to work with the department in addressing governance and service delivery challenges. The MEC also informed the portfolio committee that he has sent correspondence to the Demarcation Board supporting the proposal for Msunduzi Municipality to be granted metro status, which will unlock more resources from national government for improving infrastructure and services.

The MEC praised the council for their efforts in turning around the municipality with the department’s support. “The leadership shown by the council is commendable. Their commitment to improving governance and service delivery is evident, especially considering that the municipality was recently under Section 139 (1)(b) intervention in terms of the Constitution,” said MEC Buthelezi.

The MEC also emphasised the importance of consequence management, particularly concerning senior officials. He acknowledged the steps taken by the municipality to ensure accountability and transparency.

Committee members welcomed the MEC’s presentation on the state of the Msunduzi Local Municipality and highlighted the good work being done by the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC). The MEC noted that the support provided to the MPAC has started yielding positive results, with a reduction in irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure.

Members of the committee emphasised the need for greater accountability and oversight by the council on the day-to-day activities of the municipality, considering that communities rely on the municipality for basic services such as water and electricity.

Officials from the municipality, led by Mayor Thebolla, presented to the committee on various service delivery projects and the state of the municipality’s finances. They outlined the steps being taken to improve the financial situation.

During the engagement, members of the portfolio committee raised their concerns about the conduct of one of the municipalities they visited. They received a rosy report from officials, but when they engaged with the community, it became clear that the reality was different. In response, the MEC expressed his concern about the conduct of such municipalities, which view themselves as being above Cogta’s oversight. This attitude is evident in how they treat any attempt by the department to exercise oversight, leading to situations where residents’ needs are neglected.

Rev Buthelezi assured the portfolio committee of the department’s commitment to supporting municipalities across the province. “Our goal is to foster a culture of good governance and efficient service delivery in all municipalities. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to achieve this,” said Buthelezi.

Issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department.

• Senzelwe Mzila, 082 474 1882

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has joined the institution of traditional leadership in the province in condemning the tragic incidents that occurred in Matimatolo, under the Umvoti Local Municipality, where four women were killed by unknown gunmen last night.

This incident affected the Mpungose family, who were attacked in their home by the assailants. This attack follows another report received by the department regarding the murder of Induna Jabulile Joyce Makgosi, who was killed in her home on Saturday evening in Danhausser.

We are deeply saddened by these tragic and senseless acts of violence, which come at a time when the province is still reeling from the murder of seven people from one family at Hlokozi village outside Highflats on the South Coast.

All of these attacks occurred in communities under the authority of traditional leaders. We call upon law enforcement agencies to strengthen security measures in these areas.

“We are deeply saddened by these incidents. The senseless murder of these five women, including Induna Makgosi, indicates that something is fundamentally wrong and requires our urgent attention. We therefore call upon law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their quest to find the perpetrators,” said MEC Buthelezi.

Amakhosi of both these communities, Inkosi Mpendulo Cele of Matimatolo and Inkosi Nkosi of Danhausser, have condemned these senseless murders and called for members of the community to come forward with information that will help law enforcement agencies.

Issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department

Scottburgh, 30 September 2024 – The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has announced decisive measures to address governance and service delivery challenges in the uMdoni Local Municipality. This intervention aligns with his commitment to improve service delivery, strengthen governance, and enhance accountability within KwaZulu-Natal’s local government.

This morning, the MEC met with the full council to communicate the Provincial Executive’s decision to intervene in the municipality under section 154(1) of the Constitution. This step follows extensive engagements with the municipality and community members aimed at restoring stability.

The MEC believes that the section 154(1) intervention, guided by the Provincial Executive, will provide the municipality with enhanced support from the provincial government. A local government specialist, Mr Dhanpalan Devaraj Naidoo, will be appointed to guide the municipality through its current challenges. Mr Naidoo brings 30 years of experience in local government, having served as a Municipal Manager in the Ugu District for 8 years and in the uMdoni Local Municipality for another 8 years. His expertise is expected to be invaluable in stabilising the municipality.

“Mr Naidoo is a seasoned local government specialist whose wealth of experience is unquestionable. We believe his expertise will be crucial in stabilising the municipality,” said Buthelezi. “uMdoni is a key tourism hub that should exemplify good governance, sound financial management, and efficient service delivery. This is what ratepayers want to see.”

The MEC clarified that the local government specialist will support the council without undermining its powers and responsibilities. The Provincial Executive’s decision to intervene has been welcomed by all parties in the council, who have pledged to work together with the specialist to ensure the municipality’s stabilisation.

Issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department.