Category: News

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has called on men across the province to take their place in the fight against the abuse of women and children. Hlomuka made this appeal during a meeting with mayors, councillors, amakhosi and civic organisations in the Harry Gwala district, at the Morningside Community Hall in Ixopo.

During the meeting, Hlomuka received a report from the District Task Team chairperson on the status of Operation Sukuma Sakhe. This is a ward-based initiative aimed at speeding up government’s response to the needs of communities through War Rooms which are attended by municipal officials and officials from various government departments.

In his remarks, Hlomuka voiced his concerns about the 68 instances of sexual abuse that were reported over three months in the district. “It is very concerning that we have such incidents in our communities where our women and children are victims to the scourge of sexual abuse. We all must play our part in fighting this. The perpetrators should be arrested and families that shield them should also face the same fate,” said Hlomuka.

Hlomuka also condemned the lawless act of ukuThwala, where women are kidnapped and forced into marriage by families. “This cowardly act is a crime against humanity and, as leaders, we must work with our communities to ensure that there are consequences for those who undermine the rights of women and children,” said Hlomuka.

The MEC has also welcomed the hard work being done under the OSS banner in this district where over 85% of wards have functional War Rooms.

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

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Website: www.kzncogta.gov.za

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka today visited the Beachway informal settlement in Clermont Ward 22 in  eThekwini, where a fire destroyed 18 shacks killing a mother, Samkelisiwe Ngxolo (17) and her two children Oluhle (3) and Sanokuhle (6 months), and left 30 people homeless.

Hlomuka paid his respects to the Ngxolo family as he visited Xoliswa Ngxolo who is the aunt of the deceased mother who told of her despair on Tuesday morning when, while she was walking her son to school, she got a call informing her that her shack was on fire and that her niece and her children were all dead.

“Tuesday is a day I will never forget. It is when I lost three members of my family,” she said. Hlomuka comforted her and assured her that the provincial government, together with the eThekwini metro, will do all they can to ensure that adequate support is provided which includes the funeral arrangements for her loved ones. “The scenes that greeted us this morning are truly heartbreaking. The loss of three lives in such an abrupt manner!” – said Hlomuka.

During his visit to the area, Hlomuka who was accompanied by Disaster Management teams from the province and the Thekwini metro, assured the fire victims that support would be ongoing to ensure that they are able to return to normal life as some of them have lost essential documents such as IDs. “Additionally, we are in contact with Human Settlements and they will be providing materials which can be used by the affected families to put up temporary structures. We have also distributed interim relief aid which includes blankets, nonperishable food and clothing items” said Hlomuka.

The MEC has also urged residents across the province to exercise great caution more especially those residing in informal settlements, as during winter incidents like these are very prone. “We all need to play our part and ensure that we protect ourselves and our loved ones by ensuring that we use caution when using candles or any flammable product as they can cause serious damage when left unattended,” said Hlomuka.

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

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Website: www.kzncogta.gov.za

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The community of Shikishela in Ward 15 of the Mtubatuba local municipality will soon have uninterrupted supply of water. This is thanks KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka who yesterday visited this community together with uMkhanyakude Mayor Cllr Solomon Mkhombo and local Mayor Cllr Gumede to officially announce the contractor who will be undertaking the work of reviving the Mpukunyoni Water scheme which will benefit 27 000 people in this municipality.

The scope of this work, which is valued at R17-million, includes the installation of new pumps and the rehabilitation of 14 boreholes. This community had in the past couple of weeks become a hotspot for protests as residents blockaded roads, including the N2, and burned tyres while protesting for water. Hlomuka yesterday addressed the local community leaders, including councillors, amakhosi, ward committee members and izinduna at the Mgeza Tribal Authority just outside Mtubatuba.

The MEC vowed to ensure that the uMkhanyakude district, which is a water service authority, implements the plan, which was outlined to the community. The plan will see taps running with water in a very short space of time. “The plans that are being outlined today are not just fancy talk but are being followed up with practical steps and we expect the service provider to be on the ground in no time dealing with reviving this important water scheme so that our people can benefit,” said Hlomuka.

The meeting was also joined by representatives from the Ithendele coal mine, which has been operating in the area since 2006. The management of the mine promised to make available 30 000 litres of water a day to community members from one of its boreholes. The mine also promised to fix the road that leads to the borehole so that water tankers can easily access it and it will also supply a plumber to fix any leaks. Hlomuka welcomed this gesture by the leadership of the mine, which prides itself in working hand in hand with the community.

HLOMUKA PAYS FOLLOW UP VISIT TO MHLABUYALINGANA RESIDENTS

Afterwards Hlomuka met with the communities of Skhemelele, Mtikini and Scabazini in the uMhlabuyalingana local municipality. This follows the protest in the area which took place last Monday where Cogta MEC addressed protesters and vowed to come back in less than a week to provide the community with answers as they had been protesting over the unavailability of water in their area. Hlomuka who was accompanied by the uMkhanyakude Mayor informed the community of short-term measures taken by his department which include the provision of two water tankers. These started last week to deliver water to the affected areas.

District Mayor Cllr Mkhombo also informed residents of similar short-term relief plans, which include the rationing of water supply to the affected areas so that communities can get access to water. “We are still working on a long-term solution of installing bigger-sized pipes, the construction of a 1 million litre water storage facility in the Mtikini School and a water distribution network. All of these are being finalised in the coming months,” said Mkhombo.

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

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kzncogta

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Website: www.kzncogta.gov.za

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has condemned in the strongest possible terms the explosion that shook the Msunduzi City Hall today as Cogta-appointed administrator of the municipality Sbu Sithole was to present a confidential report.

KZN Cogta MEC has a called for an urgent investigation into the incident. The department will continue to support uMsunduzi municipality and everyone who is serious about restoring it to full functionality. The administration of the municipality remains in place until there is tangible improvement in Msunduzi’s fortunes.

“This is an act of terrorism, pure and simple. We cannot allow unknown assailants to paralyse our local government institutions and intimidate our officials and the general public. What happened in Pietermaritzburg today has no place in a civilised society,” said an indignant Hlomuka.

“We will not be intimidated by actions of individuals who seek to create chaos and sow discord. Our role is to support municipalities in this province and this is what we will continue to do. However, we urge all our and municipal officials to take the necessary safety precautions going forward,” said Hlomuka.

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

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has vowed to address concerns of Skhemelele residents in the uMhlabuyalingana local municipality who had embarked on a violent service delivery protest demanding water.

Hlomuka engaged with the protesters this afternoon and proposed a couple of options KZN Cogta would be looking at in order to address both the long-term and short-term water needs of the community. The MEC made an impromptu visit to the community despite his busy schedule.

“We are concerned about what has transpired in this area where residents do not have access to clean drinking water while they have the Shemula Water Scheme not too far away. We are looking at various options, which include reticulation of the water scheme to ensure that members of this community benefit as well. We are also looking at bringing in water tankers as a short-term relief measure while we map out the best way address the concerns of the community in the long run,” said Hlomuka.

Hlomuka promised to meet again with the community in less than a week to provide its members with concrete steps to be taken to address their concerns. The MEC was accompanied by the Mayor of uMkhanyakude District Cllr Solomon Mkhombo.

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

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Website: www.kzncogta.gov.za

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Hlomuka has also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the uMzumbe local municipality and the family of the late Janet Thembi Radebe (68) following her sudden passing.

“Councillor Radebe served in the council since the local government election in 2016 and has greatly contributed towards the improvement of lives in this deeply rural municipality. As the sphere of local government, we mourn this great loss. Our councillors make immeasurable sacrifices in fulfilling their roles in our communities and when one of them passes away, it deeply hurts,” said Hlomuka.

During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the uMzumbe municipality, the Radebe family and the late councillor’s political party who all lost a dedicated person who always put the needs of her community first.

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

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kzncogta

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kzncogta

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kzncogta

Website: www.kzncogta.gov.za

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the appointment of Mr Thulani Mdadane, from the department of Public Works, to the role of Deputy Director General for Local Government within the department.

Mr Mdadane will lead a team of highly motivated local government specialists within the department who are tasked with ensuring that adequate support is provided to the province’s 54 municipalities which are facing a myriad of challenges.

Hlomuka has welcomed the appointment and has wished Mr Mdadane all the best in his new role: “We wish Mr Mdadane all the best in this important task that he has been given in spear-heading the turnaround of local government in the province,” said Hlomuka.

Mdadane has the following qualifications: a Master’s degree in Construction Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Bachelor of Information Science degree from UNISA, an Honours degree in Information Science from UKZN, a Master’s degree in Infrastructure Design from UCT, an MBA from MANCOSA, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law from the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology. He has served in various management roles within the Provincial Government.

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has expressed his concerns at the alleged violence which led to the ill-treatment and man handling of journalists during a protest outside eThekwini City Hall

“We condemn the violence and heavy handedness in dealing with journalists. The right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution, however, it must be exercised without infringing on the right of others. Equally so, Media freedom is a right entrenched in the constitution of the country and journalists play a critical role in holding the sphere of local government accountable and should be able to conduct their work without any fear or favour” said Hlomuka.

Hlomuka has tasked officials within the department to provide him with a detailed report on this matter.

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

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kzncogta

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kzncogta

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kzncogta

Website: www.kzncogta.gov.za

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

The meeting follows Eskom’s publishing of a notice of intent to interrupt electricity supply to Mpofana daily beginning from Monday 8 July 2019 at 6am. This is due to the municipality’s overdue debt to the power utility.

Cogta together with the Eskom delegation are still engaged in intense discussions to prevent the interruption in Mpofana municipality.  Whilst there appears to be no immediate solution as yet, both parties are optimistic that a breakthrough may still be found.

The parties will continue negotiating throughout the weekend keeping in mind that Eskom has set the deadline of Monday 8 July 2019 at 6am to effect the interruption.

Cogta has appealed to all Mpofana residents, businesses and farmers who owe the municipality for services to make immediate payments to prevent the interruption.

Should an agreement acceptable to both parties be reached over the coming weekend, further communication will be issued to keep the public informed.

For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, lennox.mabaso@kzncogta.gov.za, 082 884 2403, and Eskom Communications and Stakeholder Manager, Joyce Zingoni, zingoni@eskom.co.za, 084 556 5778

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The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mr Sipho Hlomuka, met with the Province close to 300 Amakhosi in Durban in an engagement called the Trads MEC. The engagement provides a platform for both amakhosi and the MEC to discuss pertinent issues that are affecting the institution of local government. The engagement was held on Tuesday 25 June 2019 in Durban-City Hall.

MEC Hlomuka thanked amakhosi for the positive role that they continue to play in the development of rural communities across the province. “Amakhosi are reliable partner to government in its efforts to develop rural areas and ensure that adequate services are rendered to these communities. Through this engagement we aim to engage you as Amakhosi on how we can strengthen and solidify our relationship. The task that we have as the provincial government is one that we cannot hope to possibly achieve if we do not have buy in from the institution of traditional leaders within our province” said Hlomuka.

Chairperson of the Provincial House of the Traditional Leaders, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, on behalf of the Traditional Council, welcomed the engagement with the MEC and expressed the desire of Amakhosi to see the strengthening of working relations between Amakhosi and the sphere of local government. Chiliza also raised issues such as the transportation of Amakhosi, remuneration, as well as housing subsidies that he requested the new administration to look into.

In his response MEC Hlomuka, welcomed the positive engagement with Amakhosi and promised to look into the issues that were raised.

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