kzncogta

Category: News

  • KZNCOGTA MEC SIPHO HLOMUKA SADDENED WITH PASSING OF INKOSI GWALA OF HARRY GWALA

    The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has learned with shock and sadness of the untimely passing of Inkosi Philangezwi Vumani Gwala of the Macala Gwala Traditional Council in the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality, within the Harry Gwala District.

    Inkosi Gwala’s passed away on Sunday, 16 May following a short illness.

    MEC Hlomuka has expressed his condolences to the family of Inkosi and the traditional community for the loss they have suffered in the sudden passing of Inkosi.

    Inkosi Gwala was an agent of change that worked closely with all spheres of government towards the development of his community.

    MEC Hlomuka has dispatched senior officials to the family of Inkosi for additional support in the preparation towards the funeral of Inkosi.

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  • KZNCOGTA MEC WELCOMES HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT INVALIDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF THREE OFFICIALS IN BY THE NQUTHU MUNICIPALITY

    The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the judgement that was handed down on Monday, 17 May by the Pietermaritzburg High Court where it declared invalid the appointment by the Nquthu Municipality of an Acting Municipal Manager, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Acting Director of Planning, Housing and Land Administration.

    The MEC for Cogta joined in this court action which was initiated by certain councillors within the Nquthu Council who questioned the legality of these appointments, which they viewed to be in contravention of the municipalities standing rules.

    In the interest of strengthening good governance and acting in the interest of communities served by the Municipality, the MEC for Cogta joined in this court action.

    Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka believes that the judgement is a big win for accountability and transparency and should serve as a warning to municipalities who might flagrantly disregard proper processes in going about with council business.

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  • MULTI-MILLION SANITATION PROJECTS OFFICIALLY HANDED OVER BY MEC HLOMUKA IN NEWCASTLE

    The provision of water-born sewerage is now a reality for thousands of residents of Osizweni township in Newcastle. This follows the investment by the department of Cogta of R20 million which was used by the Newcastle Local Municipality to build 260 ablution facilities that use water-borne sewerage. 

     

    This morning the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka together with the Mayor of the Newcastle Local Municipality Cllr Mahlaba officially launched the project which has brought dignity to the residents of Osizweni.

     

    During this visit, MEC Hlomuka visited the Buthelezi households, which is one of the beneficiaries of the programme, where he engaged the family on the impact the improved sanitation facilities have brought to the family. The matriarch of the family 67-year-old, Ophar Buthelezi, hailed the project as a breakthrough for the family since in previous years, they have had to deal with using unsafe ablution facilities. 

     

    As part of his visit to Newcastle, MEC Hlomuka also visited the eMadadeni Wastewater treatment works, which is being upgraded to the tune of R69 million to improve the capacity of the plant.

     

    According to MEC Hlomuka, these projects which are funded by Cogta, have created hundreds of jobs opportunities and have been a catalyst for skills transfer within the communities of Osizweni and eMadadeni. 

     

    Speaking during the site visit at the Wastewater treatment plant, Mayor Mahlaba hailed the investment that the department of Cogta continues to make into Municipalities such as Newcastle to improve water and sanitation infrastructure. 

     

    According to Mayor Mahlaba, the expansion of the treatment plant will see the capacity of the plant doubled, which paves the way for future developments in the townships of Osizweni and eMadadeni.

     

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  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA PLACES DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAMS ON STANDBY AS DISRUPTIVE RAINFALL IS EXPECTED OVER MOST PARTS OF KZN TOMORROW

    The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka has placed disaster management teams on alert following the weather warning that was issued by the South African Weather Service.
    The warning received by the department indicates that widespread showers and thundershowers are expected over most parts of KZN tomorrow but scattered over the extreme north-eastern parts.
    Areas that are expected to be affected is the Harry Gwala, iLembe, Ethekweni, Mgungundlovu, Ugu, King Cetshwayo and  some parts of uThukela and uMzinyathi Districts.
    Heavy rainfall could lead to localised flooding in rural areas and low lying bridges. The MEC has warned that residents to take extreme caution as the inclement weather conditions could pose a serious threat to human life.
    The areas that are expected to be affected are Dr N Dlamini-Zuma – Underberg, EThekwini, Greater Kokstad, Impendle, Ingwe, Inkosi Langalibalele – Estcourt, Inkosi Langalibalele- Sobabili, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Okhahlamba, Ray Nkonyeni, Richmond, Msunduzi, Ubuhlebezwe, Umdoni, uMlalazi, uMngeni, uMshwathi, uMuziwabantu, Umvoti, Umzimkhulu, uMzumbe.
    MEC Hlomuka has urged residents to exercise caution and stay indoors if possible. Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles.

  • MEDIA STATEMENT: KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA CALLS FOR SAFE RETURN OF IBAMBABUKHOSI NGCOBO OF UGU DISTRICT

    MEDIA STATEMENT: KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA CALLS FOR SAFE RETURN OF IBAMBABUKHOSI NGCOBO OF UGU DISTRICT

     

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has called for the release of Ibambabukhosi Makhosandile Ngcobo, 60, who was kidnapped from his home in eZingolweni, last night at gunpoint by unknown men.

    Ibambabukhosi Ngcobo leads the Qiniselani Manyuswa Traditional Council in eZingolweni under the Ray Nkonyeni local municipality.

    MEC Hlomuka has expressed his concerns about this incident and called for members of the community to come forward with any information that might assist in ensuring a safe return of Ibamba and lead to the apprehension of those responsible for the kidnapping.

    Members of the community who have such information can call: 10111  

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  • WELCOME BOOST FOR UTHUKELA DISASTER MANAGEMENT AS KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA HANDS OVER MULTI-MILLION RAND DISASTER RESPONSE VEHICLE

    The capacity of the uThukela district to respond to disaster incidents has just received a welcome boost when KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka handed over to the municipality a state-of-the-art disaster response vehicle.

    The handover, which took place at the district offices in Ladysmith today, marked an important turning point in the department’s efforts to improve capacity in the province’s municipalities in terms of disaster response. When handing over the vehicle, Hlomuka emphasised the value his department places on the proper functioning of disaster management centres across the province since they are the first respondents to disasters.

    The handover of the disaster response vehicle follows a similar handover by Hlomuka in the Ndwendwe local municipality where the department recently invested R2-million to procure a disaster response vehicle. The Mayor of the uThukela district, Cllr Mazibuko, officially received the vehicle from MEC Hlomuka in a small ceremony attended by fire and rescue personnel based in the uThukela district.

    Mayor Mazibuko believes that this investment by the department will go a long way towards assisting the municipality since the district is facing severe constraints when it comes to resources. The handover of the disaster response vehicle was part of the Integrated Service Delivery Programme undertaken by Hlomuka in the district where he first visited two schools: Gcizela and Tholulwazi Primary Schools. There he handed over school uniforms to pupils that were donated by a social partner, Icebolethu Foundation.

    The MEC then proceeded to the town of Ladysmith where he conducted a cleanup campaign. The campaign aims to encourage residents to keep their communities clean.

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA TO EMBARK ON INTEGRATED SERVICEDELIVERY VISIT TO UTHUKELA DISTRICT

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka will, in an effort to capacitate disaster management response in the uThukela district, be handing over a state-of-the-art disaster response vehicle when he visits the district on Tuesday, 13 April, as part of his Integrated Service Delivery programme.

    The district has recently experienced a tragedy, in which four people died when the taxi they were travelling in got swept away while trying to cross a flooded low-lying bridge. During this visit, Hlomuka will be joined by the Mayor of uThukela, Cllr Mazibuko, and Mayor of Alfred Duma municipality, Cllr Madlala.

    As part of the visit, Hlomuka and the two Mayors will hand over school uniforms to pupils at local schools and conduct a clean-up campaign near the Ladysmith CBD.

    Members of the media are invited to report and attend to this visit whose details are:

    Date: 13 April 2021

    Part 1: Schools Visit

    07:30 AM: Gcizela Primary School, Watersmeet, Ladysmith

    08:30 AM: Tholulwazi Primary School, Watersmeet, Ladysmith

    Part 2: Clean Up Campaign

    10:00 AM: Maxim Complex, Ladysmith CBD

    Part 3: Disaster Truck Handover

    11:00 AM: uThukela District Municipality Offices, Ladysmith

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA HANDS OVER LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS TO EMMAUS HOSPITAL DURING BERGVILLE CONSTITUENCY VISIT

    The risk of lightning strikes damaging critical infrastructure at the Emmaus Hospital in Bergville is now a thing of the past. This follows the intervention by the KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka who has just facilitated the installation of seven lightning conductors at the hospital.
    On Friday, 9 April, Hlomuka – as part of his constituency work – visited the hospital where he inspected the installation and officially handed over the conductors that will protect critical equipment and patients utilising the hospital going forward.
    On the same day, Hlomuka also visited Vuma Secondary School in the rural area of eMabhulesini where he handed over learner support material and school uniforms. The MEC also announced the commencement of a process to drill boreholes on the school premises for the benefit of the local community and pupils.
    In his address to pupils during the visit, Hlomuka urged all present to focus on their education and to avoid all distractions from their studies. The school has seen significant improvements as a result of Hlomuka’s interventions since he adopted the school in 2019. Since then the school has had electricity installed in addition to water tankers and electronic equipment, all of which has greatly benefited its learners.
    In the visit MEC Hlomuka was accompanied by the Mayor of Uthukela District Cllr Mazibuko and the Mayor of Okhahlamba Cllr Ndlangisa.

  • KZN COGTA AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MEC’S INSPECT WATER TANKERS IN UGU DISTRICT

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka and KZN MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza, who is also the political champion of the Ugu District under Operation Sukuma Sakhe, this morning jointly inspected the water tankers utilised by the district as part of its water delivery fleet.

    The inspection comes following several engagements the MEC’s had with the local communities whose members have expressed their dissatisfaction with the frequency of the rollout of water tankers and the quality of water they provide. During the inspection, the MEC’s were accompanied by water technicians from the district who took samples of water carried by the trucks in order to inspect its quality.

    Through the inspection, the MEC’s noted several issues of concern when it came to the state of some of the water tankers, their roadworthiness and being fit for purpose. The MEC’s then directed the District through the Mayor Cllr Ngcobo to tighten its control measures in order to ensure that only roadworthy and compliant tankers form part of its fleet.

    As part of the engagement, the MEC’s visited eZingolweni where residents protested last month calling for improved provision of basic services, such as water. During the protest, criminal elements caused the destruction of municipal property which runs into millions of rand. When addressing the residents, amakhosi and business people, MEC Hlomuka condemned the destruction of public property perpetrated by criminals who infiltrated these community protests.

    The issues of concern to residents include the improvement in the provision of water and other basic services. Residents also expressed their dismay at the level of destruction that happened in their community.

    In his response, MEC Hlomuka explained to residents the steps that are being taken by the Provincial Government in its support to the district and the family of municipalities in the rollout of services, such as water.

    “Some of the concerns have already been addressed while others are currently receiving attention. One of the issues is the expansion of the volume of water extracted from the Umthavuna River for purification and distribution to Ezingolweni, KwaXolo and Southbroom. This project is fully funded by Cogta to the tune of R14-million and is being implemented by Eskom,” said MEC Hlomuka.

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA NOTES STATS SA REPORT SHOWING IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES IN KZN

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has noted the 2019 Non-Financial Census of Municipalities report released by StatsSA last week. The report details significant improvements in the provision of services to residents in the province for the said period.
    According to the report, which measures service delivery, including water, electricity and sanitation, meaningful progress is being made in KZN. The province recorded an increase in the number of residents who benefit from the free basic services provided by municipalities, such as water, electricity and refuse removal.
    In this period, a 31% increase was recorded in the proportion of consumers who benefit from free basic water. More than 32 000 consumers were connected to the electricity grid during this period, which brought the number of electricity consumers in the province to 1.9 million, with free electricity benefitiaries increasing by 2700 to 306 000.
    Similarly during this time, 1.7 million consumers received solid waste management services, while the number of free service beneficiaries increased by over 200 000.
    Hlomuka has noted this report which is a clear indication that the programmes being implemented by the department are bearing fruit, especially those aimed at capacitating municipalities with responsive indigent policies that ensure provision of free services for qualifying households.
    Hlomuka has also commended municipalities for ensuring that significant strides are made in providing communities from the most vulnerable areas with better services. He also noted that the province did not record any provision of the bucket system by municipalities. This, according to Hlomuka, is a testament to the Provincial Government’s commitment to eradicating this degrading system.
    Going forward, Hlomuka has vowed to strengthen his department’s oversight of and support to municipalities to ensure that the gains that have been made by local government are expanded in future.
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