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Category: News

  • KZN Department of Cogta Stands Up Against the Illegal Practice Of Ukuthwala (Abduction Of Girls)

    On Thursday, 28 August, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, under the leadership of MEC Sipho Hlomuka hosted an inter-generational dialogue on the practice of ukuthwalwa (the abduction of young girls under the pretext of cultural practice)  at the Qondokuhle Hall, Ward 6, in the uMzimkhulu Local Municipality. 

     

    Officials from various provincial government departments presented the challenges they face due to this illegal practice, as well as how they plan to work together with the community to stop this abusive practice. 

     

    Harry Gwala Deputy Mayor Cllr N Maphasa-Duma; Deputy Chairperson of the Harry Gwala Local House of Traditional Leaders Inkosi Mchunu; and local Mayor Cllr M Mpabanga, were among the dignitaries present at the dialogue.

     

    In his opening remarks, Inkosi NP Msingaphansi expressed his concerns regarding the unlawful practice of abduction of young girls and the crime rate in the area, which include; livestock theft, and the rape of widows and old women. He expressed that no girl child should be robbed of her childhood and future, and pleaded with the police and Amakhosi for assistance.

     

    UMzimkhulu Local Mayor Cllr M. Mpabanga said the Provincial Government’s Sukuma Sakhe intervention gives them great hope. He urged the community to be the eyes and ears of Government and to also report all criminal activities that take place in areas they reside in.

     

    Representing the South African Police Service, Officer Kenneth Thabethe explained to the community that if they do not report issues to them, the police have no grounds to intervene. Officer Thabethe, appealed to the community to assist them even after they have apprehended the perpetrators, by providing testimony in court. “We have many instances where we apprehend suspect and when we are in court community members refuse to testify. This compromises our ability to deal with crime in this area effectively” said Officer Thabethe

     

    Most arrests end up being ineffective, as the magistrate dismisses cases, due to lack of evidence. He pleaded with people to stand together and not be afraid of offenders.

     

    Ms N Kheswa from Mhlanga Hospital revealed at the dialogue that the abduction of girls spreads sexually transmitted diseases. She reported that the victims often isolate themselves from other pupils, and end up dropping out of school. She also raised her concern that a greater percentage of these young wives suffer from postnatal depression, as they are not even psychologically ready to be mothers. According to statistics for the District, there are 122 girls every quarter from the age of 19 and below, who give birth making 21% of the maternity chart. Every quarter there are 50 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 years, who terminate pregnancies. 885 pupils between the ages of 10 – 15 are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in UMzimkhulu. She pleaded with parents to educate their daughters about family planning and the practice of safe sex. 

     

    Harry Gwala District Acting Mayor Cllr N Maphasa-Duma urged parents to prioritise the education of their children as this was an effective tool against poverty. 

     

    A local social worker said that in the Ludzi rural community, surveys have shown that due to poverty, some families sell out their daughters, for a ransom of livestock.

     

    A community member requested the Provincial Government to put up network lines so that it will be easier for them to report crime and alert neighbours on the phone.

     

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  • KZN COGTA MEC Hlomuka Mourns Passing Of Inkosi Biyela

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has learned with shock and sadness of the passing of Inkosi Velemandleni Biyela (81) of the kwaYanguye Traditional Council in the King Cetshwayo District.

    Inkosi passed away yesterday following a short illness. MEC Hlomuka has expressed condolences to the family and Isizwe saKwaBiyela: “Inkosi Biyela’s passing leaves a gaping void within the institution of traditional leadership. He was a fountain of wisdom and his worth of knowledge contributed immensely in the cementing of synergistic relationships between democratically elected leaders and traditional leaders”

    As one of the elders within the institution, his passing resembled that of a library that just burnt.  Inkosi Biyela’s contribution towards the development of communities in the Mthonjaneni local municipality will be the lasting legacy that he will always be remembered for. The institution of traditional leadership has lost a great, humble leader who was a peacemaker and a unifier,” said Hlomuka.

    MEC Hlomuka has dispatched a team of senior officials to support the family during this difficult time as they prepare for Inkosi’s burial, the details of which will be communicated in due course.

    MEC HLOMUKA CONDEMNS BURNING OF TRADITIONAL COUNCIL IN ENDWENDWE

    MEC Sipho Hlomuka has also condemned the heinous act of sabotage where unknown perpetrators torched the Ngcobo Traditional Council in the area of Mavela in the Ndwendwe local municipality.

    This act of arson has compromised service delivery for the Ngcobo community who rely on the Traditional Council to facilitate the provision of government services to this community. Hlomuka has called for members of the public to come forward with information that will assist the law enforcement agencies in apprehending those responsible for this sabotage.

    He has appealed to the law enforcement agencies to do all they can to bring those behind this dastardly act are brought to book. Such callous acts are a direct attack on the community because this is the infrastructure that brought closer services to the community and served as a springboard for their development.

    For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokespersons Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403; or Senzelwe Mzila, 082 474 1882 

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  • KZNCOGTA MEC SIPHO HLOMUKA OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A BREAKTHROUGH ON ESKOM AND NEWCASTLE MUNICIPALITY IMPASSE

    KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), under the directive of MEC Sipho Hlomuka, today, 2 September, met with Eskom in an attempt to avert an electricity interruption at the Newcastle local municipality.

    The meeting follows Eskom’s publishing of a notice of intent to interrupt electricity supply to Newcastle daily beginning from Monday 30 September 2019 at 6 am. This is due to the municipality’s overdue debt of about R200 Million to the power utility.

    Cogta’s delegation is seized with solving this impasse, which could have a catastrophic impact on the economy of Newcastle, which supports thousands of families. A number of options were explored in today’s meeting which includes a revised payment plan, which would be drawn up by the municipality with the help of the Cogta and the Provincial Treasury. Engagements are still ongoing between the department and Eskom and it is hoped that a solution will be found soon.

    The MEC for Cogta, Sipho Hlomuka has urged residents who might have billing disputes with the municipality to come forward so that they can be quickly resolved by the municipality. “We are appealing to all residents across the province, to stay up to date with their utilities as failure to do so compromises the finances of our municipalities and their ability to continue to render service. Those that have billing disputes with municipalities, we urge them to come forward so that their issues can be resolved” said Hlomuka.

  • KZN COGTA MEC HLOMUKA MOVES TO AVERT ELECTRICITY CRISIS IN NEWCASTLE

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has with great urgency embarked on efforts to avert electricity interruptions at Newcastle local municipality.

    This follows the publishing of a notice of intent to interrupt electricity supply to Newcastle daily from 30 September at 6 am. This is due to the municipality’s overdue debt of about R200-million to the power utility Eskom.

    Hlomuka has urged residents of Newcastle to pay for municipal services, including electricity, as their failure to do so puts a huge strain on the dwindling finances of municipalities. Business and consumer electricity debt is the main reason for the escalating costs.

    “What we are dealing with here in Newcastle is a challenge that is facing many municipalities across the country. It is the failure by residents, including businesses, to keep up to date with their utility bills. Our department is committed to working with municipalities to find a solution to this and we urge all residents to prioritise paying for municipal services. We have seen many cases where households prioritise entertainment, DSTV and airtime instead of paying for utilities first and this behaviour has to change,” said Hlomuka.

    MEC Hlomuka has also urged municipalities to implement stringent measures in order to recover the lost revenue, which includes fining or prosecuting those who are found to have illegal electricity connections. “The law has to take its course; it is absolutely untenable that the financial stability of our municipalities is at risk due to those who refuse to pay for services such as electricity” said Hlomuka.

    “We are urging the residents and the business community of Newcastle to play their part. Those defaulting must urgently settle their bills as the implications of power interruptions would be a major setback for the economic prospects of Newcastle.  Power cuts would impact on jobs and investments. They would dissuade potential investors from settling where there is uncertainty over electricity. It is time for everyone to pull together and avert a power crisis in Newcastle,” said Hlomuka.

    MEC Hlomuka has directed senior Cogta officials to urgently facilitate engagements with Eskom to find a lasting solution. The meeting will take place tomorrow, Monday 2 September 2019.

     

  • Hlomuka congratulates newly elected office bearers in Msunduzi 

     The KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Mr Sihle Zikalala alongside MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sipho Hlomuka, welcomed the appointment of the new Msunduzi local municipality office bearers. The swearing-in took place on Thursday 29 August 2019, the ceremony was led by KwaZulu Natal Judge President A. Jappie at the Pietermaritzburg Town Hall, where a special council seating was held. 

    Premier Zikalala during his address said the communities have placed their trust in the hands of the council. The Municipality needs to make sure they deliver quality services to the communities. “Councilors must be exemplary and ensure that they do not get involved in activities that will bring the Msunduzi Municipal Council into disrepute,” said Premier Zikalala.  

    The newly elected office bearers are Cllr Mzimkhulu Thebolla who is the new Mayor of uMsunduzi Local Municipality; Cllr Manilal Inderjit as Deputy Mayor; Cllr Eunice Majola-Zondi Speaker. 

    The newly appointed Mayor Thebolla in his address said this marks a new beginning and a whole new chapter for the Msunduzi Local Municipality. “We invite the opposition in the municipality to work with us as we work in earnest to put the Municipality on the right track,” said Mayor Thobolla.

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  • KZN PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATES NEWLY ELECTED MSUNDUZI OFFICE BEARERS

    The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has congratulated the newly elected office bearers at the Msunduzi Local Municipality following their election this afternoon during a special council sitting at the Pietermaritzburg Town Hall.

    Today the Msunduzi Municipal Council elected; Cllr Mzimkhulu Thebolla as Mayor, Cllr Manilal Inderjit as Deputy Mayor, Cllr Eunice Majola-Zondi as the Speaker and Cllr Vusi Ntshangase as the Chief Whip.

    The Provincial Government appreciated the vibrancy and the cordial spirit with which the councillors conducted themselves which ensured a democratic and peaceful installation of the new EXCO.

    Delivering a message of support to the council, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, read the riot act challenging the councillors to fashion a new development trajectory for the people of uMsunduzi.

    “The time for negative headlines in this municipality must come to an end.  As you ascend to these positions of responsibility you must create a prosperous city where no child goes to bed hungry, all potholes are fixed, refuse is collected, the neighbourhood is cleaned and the citizens are proud of their municipality”.

    Zikalala committed the provincial government in providing hands-on support to the incoming EXCO and council.  He urged councillors to work together in the implementation of the turnaround plan as developed by the administrator of the Municipality.

    ”We expect only the best from this council.  It is time to reclaim the glory days of this important municipality,” said Zikalala.

    The Provincial Government placed the uMsunduzi Municipality under administration earlier this year following numerous challenges that were threatening to destabilise this important council.

    Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka has vowed to strengthen the capacity of Msunduzi to manage its own affairs exercise their powers and perform their functions and implored the councillors to hit the ground running and attend to all the immediate concerns of the community

    “The office bearers elected today have been entrusted with are a very important mandate and we look forward to working with them in taking our communities forward. We expect that the new leadership will hit the ground running and restore the confidence of the people back to this municipality through quality service,” said Hlomuka.

  • KZN COGTA MEC Calls on municipalities to prioritise women empowerment

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka, has called upon municipalities in the province to prioritise the empowerment of women and the youth. Hlomuka made these remarks today at the Sectoral Dialogue on Women Empowerment in the Greater Kokstad local municipality.

    “It is important that we empower women, especially those in our rural areas. As the government, we want to see women playing an active role in growing the economy of our province. We want to see our municipalities taking the lead in ensuring that they source services from local businesses, particularly those that are owned by women and the youth,” said Hlomuka.

    The Mayor of Greater Kokstad Cllr B. Mtolo and the District Mayor of Harry Gwala Cllr N. Maphasa-Duma attended the Dialogue. The mayors committed themselves to continuing with programmes, like these, that are aimed at empowering women.

    Officials from various government departments, including Agriculture, Economic Development, Human Settlements, and Arts and Culture also shared their women empowerment programmes.

    “There is a variety of opportunities offered to women by this government. The department offers bursaries in Town and Regional Planning, Land Surveying, Project Management, etc, and we encourage black women to take interest in these male-dominated fields and start forming companies in order to benefit from projects provided by the department,” said Mduduzi Nhlozi from Human Settlements.

    The gathering was a precursor to the Operation Sukuma Sakhe visit to all the wards in the Greater Kokstad local municipality by the KZN Premier and members of his cabinet tomorrow, 28 August. The large delegation will interact with communities on various service delivery issues.

    For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokespersons Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403; or Senzelwe Mzila 082 474 1882

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  •  KZN Government applauds winners of 2019 Mandela Day Marathon

    KZN Provincial Government has congratulated the winners and participants of this year’s Mandela Day Marathon whose main 42 km race today once again followed the iconic route between Edendale and the Mandela Capture Site outside Howick for the eighth time since 2012.

    “The human spirit has triumphed once again as the 20 000 registered athletes from all over the globe competed in various disciplines in the uMgungundlovu district where the late former President Nelson Mandela was arrested 57 years ago by the apartheid police,” said KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala.

    The winners of the main 42 km race Muhajr Haredin Sraj (Ethiopian) in the men’s category and Sofiya Shemsu Chegen (Ethiopia) in the women’s category. Chegen broke the women’s record with 2:45:21. Haredin and Chegen are a married couple.  The winners of the 21 km race are Joel Mmane in the men’s category and Rutendo Nyahora in the women’s category.

    The first KZN runners in the 42 is former champion Thobani Chagwe in the men’s category and Sanelisiwe Mbanjwa, and the first South Africans were Ntshindiso Mphakathi in the Men’s and Sanelisiwe Mbanjwa.

    The second and third in the main 42 km race are Wondwosen  Ketema Mamo (Ethiopia) and Teboho Noosi (Lesotho), respectively, in the men’s race and Salem  Abere Alebachew and Sanelisiwe Mbanjwa respectively, in the women’s race.

    “The Mandela Day Marathon has again demonstrated our unrivalled capacity to organise world-class sporting events that not only bring people together for a common purpose but also provide much needed economic incentives for our communities and municipalities in KZN,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Sipho Hlomuka.

    The annual Mandela Day Marathon aims to celebrate and preserve the legacy of the late former President Nelson Mandela but also provide business and job opportunities for the local communities in the uMgungundlovu district. The marathon is also helping to market KZN as a tourist destination.

    “Our warm congratulations go to all winners and participants of this year’s marathon. As exciting as it is to win a sporting event of this nature, the best experience is to participate and share in its communal spirit. We also applaud all visitors to the province who have come to support these athletes,” said uMgungundlovu District Mayor Cllr Thobekile Maphumulo.

    The eighth edition of the Mandela Day Marathon has exceeded all expectations in terms of participants’ numbers which had to be capped in the interest of runners’ safety and facilities available to athletes and observers. The 2019 marathon has also once again benefited from a major sponsorship deal with ABSA. Results of other races are available at

    www.mandeladm.org.za

    For more information, please contact: KZN Cogta spokespersons Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403

    Date: 25 August 2019

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  • MEC Sipho Hlomuka condemns the assassination attempt on Speaker of uKhahlamba municipality.

     

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has condemned the assassination attempt on uKhahlamba Municipal Speaker, Cllr Sthembiso Zulu.  Reports received indicate that the speaker was shot at while on the way home from work. The municipal vehicle he was using was shot at eleven times. The Speaker escaped with minor injuries.

    MEC Hlomuka has expressed shock at this assassination attempt on the Speaker and said that the recent spate of violence directed at public representatives in municipalities must stop.

    “We are dismayed at the news of an attempt on the life of yet another councillor in the province, shortly as the province is still licking its wounds following the brutal assassination of Councilor Mthembeni Majola from Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality in the same district.

    “It pains me to even try and understand what could cause people to embark on such a senseless deed against a representative of our people. This is indeed shocking. We are finding this difficult to comprehend,” said Hlomuka.

    “Violence against councillors is becoming a disturbing trend which requires urgent attention. We call on all our people to be in the forefront of protecting our councillors. Violence is deplorable and must be universally condemned”.

    Hlomuka has expressed a hope that the law will take its course and that the perpetrators of this attempted murder – whoever they are – will be apprehended soon by the law enforcement agencies to be brought to justice.

    For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokespersons Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403; or Senzelwe Mzila 0824741882.

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  • NCOP’S SELECT COMMITTEE VISITS RICHMOND MUNICIPALITY TO ASSESS INTERVENTION

    KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka today joined the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during its visit to the Richmond local municipality.
    The committee, led by Chairperson TSC Dodovu, is assessing the ongoing intervention by the KZN Provincial Government in terms of section 139(1)(b). The municipality was placed under administration on 21 March this year to prevent its collapse. The meeting took place at Richmond Council Chamber.
    “We are assessing the state of the municipality and the factors that were taken into consideration by the Provincial Government before placing this municipality under administration. The committee will then table a report to the NCOP either supporting or not supporting the intervention,” said Dodovu.
    In his address, MEC Hlomuka outlined the factors that the department looked into prior to intervening in the municipality, which include issues with cash flows and compliance with the laws governing local government.
    “Our interventions are always a matter of last resort. We always prefer to provide support and if this does not work, only then do we consider intervention. Even with this intervention, we are keenly assessing the state of the municipality as we receive monthly reports from the administrator Phumlani Mntambo,” said Hlomuka.
    During the session, Mntambo gave a promising report on the progress that has been made since the intervention in the municipality. He also thanked Cogta for deploying to Richmond its yellow plant equipment, which includes graders, TLBs and excavators, which are currently busy at work in various wards.
    Councillors, Business Chamber, Organised Labour, Farmers’ Association and SALGA were also given an opportunity to make inputs on the status of the municipality following the intervention. They have noted the improvement and called for cases of maladministration to be concluded speedily and for appropriate sanctions to be implemented.
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