Category: News

Inclement weather conditions have commenced in the northern parts of the province. KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has urged residents to exercise extreme caution as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate and bring the possibility of widespread flooding in areas within the uMkanyakude district.

Earlier in the week, Hlomuka placed disaster management teams on high alert in the uMkhanyakude district where extensive efforts began by local disaster management teams to warn residents in areas that are expected to be severely affected by the disruptive rainfall caused by Cyclone Eloise.

The areas of Big Five-Hlabisa, Jozini, Mtubatuba and uMhlabuyalingana are expected to receive severe rainfall from this afternoon into tomorrow. These weather conditions will likely pose risks to human life.

In light of the high risk of widespread flooding of roads and houses, KZN Cogta has, in collaboration with the Departments of Transport and Human Settlements, introduced contingency measures aimed at providing speedy relief to families should the need arise.

The department has also engaged municipalities under the uMkhanyakude district to open community halls in the identified areas to temporarily house vulnerable families.

The inclement weather conditions are also expected to affect parts of the King Cetshwayo and Zululand districts (Abaqulusi, eDumbe, Mthonjaneni, Nongoma, Ulundi, uMlalazi and uPhongolo), although to a lesser extent. Disaster management teams are on alert in these areas where heavy rains could be a possibility.

The South African Weather Service has also alerted the department to the possibility of damaging winds along the coastal areas of the province. This could cause localised flooding in low-lying areas (coastal inundation/storm surge estuary flooding). Residents within coastal areas are urged to be cautious.

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has warned residents in the northern parts of the province of the imminent threat posed by the Tropical Cyclone Eloise which is expected to land tomorrow.

Currently disaster management teams, in conjunction with Community Development Workers, Councillors, Traditional Councils and Ward Committee in the uMkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo and Zululand districts have embarked on an extensive awareness drive warning communities in areas that have been identified by the South African Weather Service as areas that could experience heavy downpours, namely Big Five-Hlabisa, Jozini, Mtubatuba, uMhlabuyalingana, Abaqulusi, eDumbe, Mthonjaneni, Nongoma, Ulundi, uMlalazi and uPhongolo.

These areas could experience widespread flooding of roads and settlements as a result of the continuous heavy rains. Residents in these areas have been warned to avoid unnecessary trips which could see them stranded as a result of bridges and roads being flooded. Residents are also urged to abide by the instructions from their local disaster management officials, especially in areas where evacuations might be needed.

The department has directed municipalities in high-risk areas to ensure that public facilities, such as community halls, are placed on standby to house residents that might be displaced by the heavy rains.

Residents are urged to follow safety measures:

·       Have enough potable water for at least three days,

·       Have three days’ supply of non-perishable foods,

·       Have a battery-powered radio and flashlight,

·       Have gas or other alternative energy sources for safe heating of water and cooking,

·       Have a first aid kit and a supply of chronic medication,

·       Have matches and candles,

·       Have enough masks, soap and sanitisers,

·       Compile a list of contact details for the local emergency services, medical practitioners etc.

·       Secure key documents such as IDs, bank cards etc in waterproof containers,

·       Prepare an evacuation plan and decide on when and where to evacuate,

·       If the building begins to collapse, shelter under a strong table, bench or heavy mattress.

Communities are further urged to make arrangements with family and friends to know their location from Sunday morning:

o   stay indoors,

o   wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are supportive of ankles,

o   monitor the news,

o   avoid low-lying areas,

o   avoid the shores of rivers,

o   avoid dry river beds as flash flooding can occur suddenly due to severe rain upriver,

o   avoid crossing rivers by wading or driving through the water,

o   avoid shelter under trees or use umbrellas when out in the rain to avoid being struck by lightning,

o   act immediately if an evacuation order is given for your area.

Disaster Management Centres of the following Municipalities can be reached on:

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka, together with the family of municipalities under the Harry Gwala district, have expressed their shock and sadness at the untimely passing of the Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu.

In paying homage to Mthembu, Hlomuka has described the late Minister as a gentle giant who had a passion for seeing the material conditions of communities change for the better. No job was too onerous for him in making this transformation happen.

Minister Mthembu was deployed by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa as the Political Champion for the Harry Gwala district in KZN as part of the newly established District Development Model.

The late Minister handled this position with delicate care and was instrumental in troubleshooting many of the service delivery challenges faced by municipalities under this largely rural district.

In one incident during a visit to St Apollinaris Hospital where network challenges were prevalent, through the intervention by the Minister, the network companies were brought on board through the department of Communications, Telecommunications and Postal Services which is led by Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to help solve the network challenges of the hospital.

“We were very distraught to learn of his passing. We never imagined that when we launched the District Development Model at Harry Gwala with the Minister in October, this would be our last moment with him. During the short space of time that he served as the Political Champion of the district, he made a huge impact and always made time to be on the ground with us even as the country faced the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. He was a solutions-driven Minister and always pushed the district to focus on the solutions no matter how big the challenge was,” said Hlomuka who serves as the MEC Champion for the district.

The Mayor of Harry Gwala Cllr Zamo Nxumalo has also described Mthembu as an exemplary humble leader who was approachable and took his role as Political Champion of the district very seriously. “As a district, we join the country in mourning this dedicated leader who was always eager to help,” said Nxumalo.

Ends.

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has warned residents in the uMkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo and Zululand districts of severe heavy rains that are expected there as a result of the tropical storm Eloise which is to further intensify from its current status and become a tropical cyclone.

The storm is currently located in the central part of the Mozambique Channel and its impact in the province is expected to start from Sunday going into Monday.

The latest forecast from the South African Weather Service indicates that severe disruptive rain could be expected in the Big Five-Hlabisa, Jozini, Mtubatuba, uMhlabuyalinga, Abaqulusi, eDumbe, Mthonjaneni, Nongoma, Ulundi, uMlalazi and uPhongolo municipalities.

The areas that are expected to be severely affected could receive significant amounts of rainfall (exceeding 100mm) and possibly strong winds. This could cause widespread flooding of roads and settlements. It could also cause damage to infrastructure and properties.

Hlomuka has placed disaster management teams on high alert as the inclement weather conditions pose a serious risk to human life. “We are very concerned about these weather patterns that are developing. We are appealing to our communities to limit their movement as roads in these areas could be flooded. Our teams will be monitoring areas that are prone to floods,” said Hlomuka.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has issued a warning of heavy downpours that have the potential to cause flooding in various parts of KZN particularly in the northern areas regarding the approaching Tropical Storm Eloise. The MEC has thus placed disaster management teams in the uMkhanyakude District on high alert to prepare for emergency response to all incidents related to the storm if necessary.

This move follows reports that have been received by the department from the South African Weather Service indicating the possibility of heavy rains in the Northern parts of the province this Sunday as a result of the Tropical Storm Eloise.

“Eloise” is currently situated in the Mozambique Channel and is expected to make land fall in Mozambique.

According to the latest update from the South African Weather Service, the intensity of the storms that could be experienced by the province is greatly reduced.  As a precaution communities situated in the low lying areas are being warned to be on high alert.

MEC Hlomuka has placed Disaster Management teams on high alert. The teams will be monitoring areas in the Mkhanyakude District that are prone to weather-related incidents so that they can provide assistance to communities should the need arise.

Hlomuka has urged communities in the Northern parts of the province to be vigilant and to take all the necessary precautions.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre continues to track and monitor the movement of the storm and updates will be provided as soon as they are available.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has condemned the murder of yet another Induna in the Mgungundlovu district – Bongumusa Mdluli who served as induna under the Manyavu Traditional Council. He was gunned down by unknown assailants in his home near Cato Ridge on Sunday.

This tragedy brings to two the number of izinduna who have been killed over the weekend in the Mgungundlovu district, following the murder of Richard Bonginkosi Dlomo was served as induna under the Nxamalala Sub Clan who was also gunned down in his home near Howick.

Hlomuka has called on the affected communities to work with the police towards the apprehension of anyone who could have been involved in these murders.

Hlomuka has also expressed his concern at the flagrant disregard for human life by forces that are hell-bent on undermining the institution of traditional leadership within our province.

“We appeal to communities to not take the law into their own hands but to work with the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the cowards who committed these acts are brought to justice,” said Hlomuka.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has paid homage to the three Amakhosi that passed away this week following a short illness.

Hlomuka has hailed them for their selfless service which they have showed in how they served their communities. “The loss of these three Amakhosi comes a big blow to the institution of traditional leadership in our province. It is sad for us to lose such leaders in succession like this at a time when our communities need their guidance” said Hlomuka.

Inkosi P.J Ngubane of the Bomvu Traditional Council passed away yesterday and Inkosi T Mntungwa of the Baso Traditional Council passed away this morning. Both Amakhosi are from Msinga under the uMzinyathi District.

Under the Ilembe District, Inkosi S.A Hlongwa of the Hlongwa Traditional Council passed away on Thursday, 14 January.

MEC Hlomuka has also sent his condolences to his Majesty the King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.

The MEC for Cogta, Sipho Hlomuka has dispatched senior officials from the department to provide support to the families of Amakhosi as they deal with this tragedy.

Ends.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has urged residents across the province to be vigilant as weather conditions continue to deteriorate.

Since new years eve, parts of the province have been experiencing heavy rains which in some areas have caused damage to public infrastructure (roads, electricity) in areas like eThekwini and Msunduzi. This has resulted in several communities not having electricity with engineers working hard to restore power to the affected areas.

The department has received reports of damage to houses in the Greater Kokstad Municipality and Okhahlamba Municipalities where several houses were partially damaged by strong winds and heavy rains yesterday.

Disaster Management teams have been dispatched to the affected areas and are conducting assessments of the extent of the damage. So far no reports of injuries or fatalities have been received.

MEC Hlomuka has appealed to residents to continue to be cautious as the weather conditions are expected to persist over the weekend.

Pietermaritzburg: In yet another blow to the institution of traditional leadership within the province of KwaZulu-Natal KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has learned of the passing of Inkosi Ngonyama Rudolf Madlala (48) of the Madlala Traditional Council in uMshwathi under the uMgungundlovu District.

Inkosi’s sudden passing which took yesterday evening following a short illness leaves a deep void within the institution of traditional leadership within the Province.

The passing of Inkosi Madlala comes days following the loss of another respected traditional leader, Ibambabukhosi M.M.S Mthethwa of the Mhlana Traditional Authority in Mbonambi in the Mfolozi Local Municipality under the King Cetshwayo District.

Ibamba Mthethwa who is being laid to his final resting place today played an important role in bringing stability to Isizwe SabaThethwa. Isizwe continues to be in the prayerful thoughts of the MEC.

MEC Hlomuka has sent heartfelt condolences to his Majesty the King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu in what has been a tumultuous year for the institution of traditional leadership within the province, where it lost eight (8) amakhosi which include two AmaBambabukhosi.

Hlomuka has also sent condolences to the Province’s Provincial House of Traditional Leaders which is under the leadership of the Inkosi Chiliza.

Hlomuka has dispatched senior officials from the department to provide support and assistance to the Madlala and Mhlana Traditional Authorities as they deal with the loss of their respected leaders.