kzncogta

Category: News

  • KZN COGTA ACHIEVES CLEAN AUDIT FOR 2019/2020 FINANCIAL YEAR

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the Auditor-General’s findings which indicate that the department has received an unqualified audit with no findings or a ‘clean audit’ for the 2019/2020 financial year.

    This Audit outcome, according to Hlomuka, is a big boost for the department as it promotes good and clean governance in the sphere of local government in KZN. The department is tasked with the general oversight over municipalities and the institution of traditional leadership in the province.

    The achievement of the clean audit is a reflection of the commitment officials within the department have towards the safeguarding of public funds and ensuring that these are utilised in a manner that is efficient and effective.

    Hlomuka has congratulated the management and staff of the department who, under the leadership of Head of Department Thando Tubane, have set the department on a course to be a hub of excellence.

    The latest clean audit is also an exemplary step as the department continues to implement its Operation Clean Audit which is aimed at improving the management of finances within the province’s municipalities.

    Ends

     

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA UPDATES UGU RESIDENTS ABOUT STEPS TO END SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka today led a delegation consisting of municipal and provincial government officials to address Ugu residents on the steps that are being taken to resolve service delivery challenges within the district.
    Ugu communities had protested over inadequate access to basic services which culminated in the intervention by MEC Hlomuka who met with them last week. Today’s visit provided an opportunity for the MEC to give feedback on the steps being taken to address service delivery challenges. Chief amongst their grievances has been the unavailability of water and the poor state of the roads.
    Hlomuka met with the communities of KwaMadlala – Ward 14, Maygog – Wards 13, and 15 and Ezinqoleni Ward 32 under the Ray Nkonyeni local municipality. In this engagement, Hlomuka with the support of the Ugu District Mayor Cllr Ngcobo and the Mayor of the Ray Nkonyeni municipality Cllr Mqwebu set out steps that are being taken by the municipalities with the support of the provincial government to address service delivery issues in the district.
    Currently, the district is implementing a number of interventions that are both short and long term. These include:
    ·       Connecting to the Eastern Cape’s power supply which will allow for more water to be 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 with Eskom.
    ·       Upgrade of the KwaXolo Bulk water supply scheme which is being implemented to increase supply to KwaXolo and Izingolweni network.
    ·       Exploration of ground water systems (boreholes and springs) to augment the inadequate bulk capacity of the Bhobhoyi Northern system
    ·       Supply of water on a rotational basis with the prior communication of schedules to ensure that communities are kept abreast consistently.
    ·       Bulk Water Supply to be augmented through the Mhlabashane Supply Scheme based on agreement with Umgeni Water to increase production capacity to 7.0 Ml/day in Louisiana and Maygong areas and the KwaMadlala Pump station upgrade.
    In the long term, the national Department of Water and Sanitation has commissioned the construction of Cwabeni Dam which will further alleviate the pressure. That project is due for completion in 2023.
    In the meantime, the delivery of water through tankering is being enhanced to maximise the efficiency thereof. In some of the areas, static tanks are being added at strategic points to ensure regular water provision. Hlomuka has pledged his department’s readiness to monitor the implementation of these measures.
    On the roads matter, the provincial government will be appointing a contractor who will upgrade some of the roads.

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA SADDENED BY WEENEN TAXI INCIDENT WHERE ONE PASSENGER DROWNED AND THREE MISSING

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka saddened by the fatal incident that took place last night in Weenen under the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality, where one person, a 40-year-old female, drowned with three people missing after the taxi they were travelling in got swept away while crossing a low-lying bridge in Weenen.

     

    In the incident, 13 people who were inside the taxi managed to get to safety.

     

    Disaster Management teams are working non-stop to locate the missing people who are believed to be from one family.

     

    According to teams that responded to the incident 2 teenagers (a male and a female) and an adult from the Mkhize household are unaccounted for and are believed to have been swept away by the raging waters.

     

    Hlomuka has expressed his concern about the loss of life that the province continues to experience as a result of inclement weather conditions. “We are saddened by this latest incident. Our teams are working round the clock in conjunction with the police search and rescue teams to locate the missing” said Hlomuka.

     

    MEC Hlomuka has appealed to drivers to continue to be vigilant and avoid crossing flooded bridges as this is dangerous.

     

    Hlomuka has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident to determine whether there was any negligence on the part of the driver in crossing the flooded river.

  • KZN COGTA MEC SADDENED WITH PASSING OF INKOSI NTANZI OF MSHWATHI MUNICIPALITY

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has expressed his sadness at the news of the passing of Inkosi Bhekukwenza Ntanzi of the Ntanzi Traditional Council in the uMshwathi local municipality under the uMgungundlovu District.
    Inkosi passed away on Friday following a short illness.
    MEC Hlomuka has sent condolences to the family of Inkosi and Ntanzi Traditional Community.
    MEC Hlomuka has dispatched senior officials from the departments to comfort and provide support to the grieving family.

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA WELCOMES IMPROVEMENT IN ETHEKWINI’S FINANCES DURING SURPRISE VISIT TO METRO

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the recent improvements in the eThekwini Metro’s collection rates which now stand at pre-lockdown levels.

     

    The municipality was one of the most affected in the province as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 which saw a sharp decline in its revenue and cash flows.

     

    The municipality suffered a loss in revenue of about R3-billion and had an 88% collection rate during the 2019/2020 financial year. Most recently, the municipality’s overall revenue collection has improved to 95% which is at pre-lockdown levels.

     

    This morning, MEC Hlomuka together with Senior Management from the Department met with the Executive Committee of the municipality and its senior management from whom he received a comprehensive report on the metro’s current status. As part of the robust engagement areas were identified by Cogta officials that the City still needs to improve on.

     

    This engagement was preceded by an unannounced visit with eThekwini Mayor Cllr Kaunda to the Florence Mkhize frontline service delivery centre where the delegation inspected the level of services provided to residents. During this engagement, the MEC and Mayor interacted with residents who had come to make use of services rendered in this building.

     

    This visit forms part of the assessment that is being conducted by the department which is looking into billing and other complaints from consumers and ratepayers with the aim to identify root causes and ensure that the municipality is able to respond to its communities and apply the Batho Pele principles.

     

    Hlomuka and Kaunda also conducted a clean-up campaign earlier in the day when they visited Isipingo where they led efforts to clean the small town and to encourage residents to take care of their surroundings.

     

    Speaking during the clean-up campaign, Hlomuka encouraged residents to be part of the solution by not littering as litter clogs drains which then leads to localised flooding during heavy rains. The delegation also visited Zuzumqhele High School where it handed over 56 full set uniforms to deserving learners. Hlomuka and Kaunda also planted trees on the school property as part of efforts to encourage learners to take care of the environment.

  • KZN GOVERNMENT URGES CALM FOLLOWING ENGAGEMENTS WITH UGU PROTESTERS

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka, together with KZN MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza, have called for calm in the Ugu district where protesters barricaded roads, including the N2 during a violent public protest.
    From this morning, the two MECs met with protesters from uMzumbe, Ray Nkonyeni and Ezinqolweni residents, to engage and find peaceful ways to address public concerns over access to basic services. Since yesterday the district has seen violent protests, with residents barricading major routes, such as the N2 between Port Shepstone and Durban, the N2 between Port Shepstone and tje Eastern Cape and the R102 in Hibberdene.
    The MECs have condemned the violence which saw trucks being burned, public infrastructure damaged and shops looted. In the engagement with the protesters, the MECs called upon communities to desist from damaging public infrastructure and infringing on the rights of other residents who did not wish to protest.
    Emanating from the engagements with residents, a special team consisting of the aggrieved community members will now engage directly with the Provincial Government and the Ugu district family of municipalities regarding their needs. A second meeting will be convened on Tuesday where a way forward will be provided. In the meantime, the MECs will galvanise additional resources to address the challenges faced by these communities.

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA TO EMBARK ON INTEGRATED SERVICE DELIVERY VISIT TO ETHEKWINI

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka will be visiting the eThekwini metro where he will embark on an integrated service delivery programme aimed at monitoring the state of service delivery within the municipality.
    The visit will include an unannounced service delivery inspection at various frontline service delivery points within the city where the MEC, together with the Mayor Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda, will interact with ratepayers as they make use of facilities provided by the municipality.
    During the visit, Hlomuka will also visit Zuzumqhele High School in Ezimbokodweni where he will hand over school uniforms and plant trees. The MEC and Mayor will also, conduct a clean-up campaign near Isipingo to encourage residents to take care of the environment.
    The visit will culminate in the MEC’s meeting with the Executive Committee of the eThekwini metro where deliberations about matters pertaining to service delivery in the municipality will take place with the local decision-makers.
    Members of the media are invited to attend the visit, the details of which are :
    Date: Thursday, 25 March 2021
     *PART 1: SCHOOL UNIFORM HANDOVER*
    Venue: Zuzumqhele High School, Ezimbokodweni, Durban South
    Time: 07:15am
     *PART 2: CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN*
    VENUE: Isipingo
    Time: 09:00am
     *PART 3: UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO FRONT LINE SERVICE DELIVERY POINT*
    Venue: To be announced on the day
    Time: 10:00am

  • KZN COGTA KEEPING AN EYE ON UGU DISTRICT WATER INTERVENTIONS

    The challenges faced by the Ugu district are well documented from Cogta’s own engagements with this municipality and considerable resources have been deployed to assist the municipality with its delivery of basic services to communities.

    Specifically, a Ministerial Task Team was established in December 2020 to coordinate these efforts. Based on the KZN Provincial Water Master Plan also compiled last year, the Ugu district has – with the support of the technical expert deployed by Cogta – prepared a Water and Sanitation Recovery Plan for the district which is already being implemented.

    The department has also invested significant resources into the District to deal with water challenges. R17 million was released last year to the Municipality as part of an accelerated water intervention. This money was allocated in the following manner;

    • R2.7 million: uMzimkhulu River salt water containment berm which will prevent the water supply from being contaminated with sea water.
    • R14 million: Upgrade of the uMtanvuna Raw Water Pump station electricity supply.
    • R1.3 Million: Emalangeni Water Supply Project. 

    These projects are in progress right now and are aimed at stabilising the water supply within this district. We understand the frustration of local communities and appeal for their patience while these matters are being addressed by the council. 

    The department continues to keep a keen eye on the District and the challenges that it faces. 

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  • KZN COGTA MEC PAYS TRIBUTE TO SLAIN INKOSI DURING EMOTIONAL VISIT TO FAMILY

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka this morning paid tribute to Inkosi Mkhize of the Amambuzane Traditional Community who was murdered together with an aide, Nhlanhla Richard Dlomo, by unknown gunmen who opened fire on the Inkosi when he was driving into his home in Mpophomeni on Saturday, 13 March.

    During the visit, Hlomuka expressed his sadness at the ongoing scourge when leaders of traditional communities face unprecedented attacks by unknown forces hell-bent on compromising the important institution of traditional leadership.

    During his visit, Hlomuka was accompanied by the Mayor of uMngeni local municipality Cllr Sokhela, the Mayor of uMshwathi local municipality Cllr Zondi and MPL, Thulani Xulu who hailed the slain Inkosi as a strong proponent of development in the uMgungundlovu district who always fostered good relations with all spheres of government in the hope of seeing his community developed.

    In his address to the grieving family, Hlomuka assured them of the government’s commitment to getting to the bottom of recent killings that the province continues to experience. In the past three years, the province has witnessed 27 murders of Amakhosi, Izinduna and other personnel that served as aides to amakhosi.

    The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Inkosi Chiliza also visited the family of Inkosi Mkhize yesterday to pay his respects. During the visit, Inkosi Chiliza expressed his dismay at the murder of Inkosi Mkhize, who was a very young Inkosi.

    The department, together with the Provincial House, are continuing to engage with the law enforcement agencies on a comprehensive response to the challenges faced by the institution of traditional leadership.

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA COMMEMORATES NATIONAL WATER WEEK

    KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), under the leadership of MEC Sipho Hlomuka, is commemorating the National Water Week which started today. This important week-long event leads up to the World Water Day on 22 March and is dedicated to understanding how people value water and how it plays a role in their lives.
    This year’s National Water Week is observed under the theme “Valuing Water”. The province’s water supply remains low as a result of the water scarcity due to drought and uneven rainfall in most parts of KZN. For this reason, Hlomuka has called on residents across the province to continue to use water wisely.
    “As part of honouring the National Water Week when we reflect on the importance of water and how we utilise it, we plead with all residents in the province to continue to use water sparingly. Conserving water is important because it protects the environment. Conserving water means using our water supply wisely and being responsible. It will also protect our water resources for generations to come,” said Hlomuka.
    Hlomuka has also appealed to residents to ensure that children are educated about the importance of saving water. The National Water Week is an annual water campaign that aims to educate the public about their responsibility in water conservation initiatives, raising awareness around the need to protect and conserve water resources.
    The focus is also on taking action to tackle the global water crisis and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for All by 2030. By adopting even one of the following water-saving tips at school, in the workplace or at home, you can help to preserve our planet:
    ·       Only flush the toilet when necessary.
    ·       Do not use a lot of water when bathing.
    ·   Use a container to minimise the waste of water before you shower.