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MEC Sipho Hlomuka, condemned the attacks on Amakhosi and Izinduna, calling them inhumane and asserted that the communities they serve should be at the forefront of protecting their traditional leaders.

Hlomuka was addressing traditional leaders and various stakeholders during a special District Cluster Imbizo which was held at the KwaDukuza Town Hall, in Stanger, on Tuesday 11 January 2022, for traditional leaders hailing from uGu, uMgungundlovu and iLembe districts, as well as eThekwini Metro.

“There is no justification for the murder of anyone, and it gets even worse if the person in question is a community leader. When an Inkosi is killed, his or her nation suffers immensely and that is why attacks on traditional leaders must be condemned in the strongest terms possible,” he said.

The MEC urged traditional leaders to collaborate with communities and also encouraged them to aid the government in combating the province’s scourge of killings, especially of Amakhosi and Izinduna.

“The government will not be able to accomplish everything on its own. There is a scarcity of Police Officers in South Africa, we need to work together with the Police to combat criminality of any form, particularly that of Amakhosi and Izinduna,” he added.

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), under the leadership of MEC Sipho Hlomuka, has assigned additional resources to the nine ministerial representatives who have been deployed by the department to the municipalities currently under Section 139 intervention. 

The department has specifically assigned financial experts who will work with the administrators to implement turnaround plans in these municipalities. The deployment of the resources follows a thorough assessment following regressions in audit outcomes in some of the municipalities that are under administration. The lack of support provided to the administrators by officials and councillors was also considered.

Today, Hlomuka convened a special meeting with the administrators where he received comprehensive reports on the progress of the municipalities. 

Key among the issues discussed was the implementation of consequence management measures against errant officials who waste municipal resources through irregular and unauthorised expenditure. The MEC called on the administrators to leave no stone unturned in their quest to hold the management accountable within the municipalities. “As ministerial representatives, we expect you to act always in the interest of residents. The nature of the job that you have been appointed to requires you to take unpopular decisions which will assist the municipality,” said Hlomuka.  

The MEC has also directed administrators to improve on systems that improve the cash flow of municipalities such as debt collection, reduction of water and electricity losses. 

“We are concerned that some of these municipalities that are under administration continue to lose millions of rand as a result of their failure to improve revenue collection. Some of them have experienced severe blackouts as a result of the failure to invest in their electricity infrastructure, as ministerial representatives you have to guide the councils so that they can address these issues,” said Hlomuka. 

Hlomuka called upon the administrators to not get caught up in the politics of the municipality they are in but to instead focus on the job they have been assigned. During the meeting, Cogta HOD Thando Tubane indicated the department’s commitment to a rigorous monitoring and evaluation process aimed at dealing with challenges faced by administrators as they go about their job. 

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The inclement weather conditions that have struck large parts of the province since the 15th of December have left a trail of devastation and destruction in several areas within the province. As a result of these weather conditions that occurred on 30 December 2021 alone, four fatalities have occurred, which include a 3 year that drowned in ward 8 Maphumulo Local Municipality.

Disaster Management teams have been busy with the rollout of interim relief measures to the 1692 households that have been affected. The nature of the incidents ranges from housing structural damages, the collapse and flooding of roads and hail damage, some of these incidents led to fatalities. Some areas experienced black-outs as a result of extensive damage to power lines after trees were uprooted by the storms.

The most affected areas are the Districts of uMgungundlovu (400 households) and Ilembe (300 households including the collapse of a part of the R74 road which connects KwaDukuza and Greytown).

Following the severe thunderstorms that brought hail and heavy rains yesterday, 4 January the number of households that are affected is expected to increase.

The department continues to support and coordinate the response by the affected municipalities in partnership with sector departments.

Within this period the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Department under the leadership of MEC Sipho Hlomuka, has received over 12 severe weather warnings from the South African Weather Service, which were all acted on by Disaster Management teams.

Since the start of the festive season, the department has activated all Disaster Operations Centres to monitor incidents and coordinate response to report to the weekly Joint Operations Committees (JOCs) on further interventions required. The department has also provided social relief to all municipalities for distribution to the affected households whilst also facilitating the interventions by other sector departments in line with their legislative mandates.

So far the total cost of the damage has not been finalised since the majority of assessments are being conducted and incidents continue. The determination will be made once all assessments have been completed and quantified.

The MEC for Cogta, Sipho Hlomuka has commended disaster management teams for their swift response to the incidents that have struck many parts of the province.

MEC Hlomuka has urged residents and all sectors of society to partner with the provincial government in the fight against climate change. “All of us have to acknowledge that climate change is real, frequent and violent. We need to pay attention to all the severe weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service to practice risk avoidance behaviour such as staying indoors, avoiding sporting and recreational activities during thunderstorms, and ensuring that we do not cross overflowing and running rivers either by car or on foot said Hlomuka.

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department under the leadership of MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has transferred R19 million in grant funding to the Ugu District Municipality as part of efforts to improve the provision of water within the District.

The money will be used for repairing the Bhobhoyi water scheme (St Helen’s Rock) which requires major upgrades to the tune of R15 million. The rest of the grant is for the drilling of 12 boreholes in the uMuziwabantu and uMzumbe local municipalities.

Through the rollout of the grant, the department aims to stabilise the provision of water within the district which has faced severe water constraints.

The grant follows a rigorous assessment of water infrastructure that was done by technicians from Cogta in conjunction with their counterparts from the District.

Today, 1 January, MEC Hlomuka together with the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Ravi Pillay and the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Ms Peggy Nkonyeni, convened a special meeting of the Ugu Water Inter-Ministerial task team, where they received progress reports from District’s delegation which was led by the Mayor Cllr Phumlile Mthiyane. The meeting was also attended by officials from the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency and the HOD Champion of the District under Operation Sukuma Sakhe, Dr Thobile Sifunda who is the HOD for the department of Sports and Recreation, who was there on behalf of the MEC Champion Ms Nonhlanhla Khoza, MEC for the department of Social Development.

The reports tabled by the municipality before the task team shows that currently, demand exceeds supply across all the water systems within the district. The municipality proposed a mix-use approach that requires more investment in boreholes, spring protection, rainwater harvesting and desalination to complement the conventional methods of water supply.

The Task-Team resolved for the Ugu District to embark on an extensive outreach programme to communities to raise awareness about the water challenges and to enforce water-saving measures which include the reporting of water leaks. The task team also called for greater transparency between the District and communities on water provision.

During the meeting, MEC Hlomuka directed the municipality to convene a special council meeting to consider the election of Portfolio Committee Chairpersons and for the municipality to fast track the appointment of the CFO. Hlomuka also raised concerns with the delays in the implementation of the upgrades to the Eskom power lines in the Umtamvuna pump station. The MEC called for the fast tracking of the project which will improve security of supply. The project is projected to be completed by June 2022.

The provincial government through the department of Cogta continues to provide support measures to the District municipality which are aimed at improving the functionality of the municipality and its ability to provide service delivery to communities. This includes the provision of technical, governance and financial experts.

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31 December 2021

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has sent condolences to the Shange family, following the tragic incident which took place yesterday, where 10-year-old, Xolani Shange drowned after being swept away by water while attempting to cross a low-lying bridge in KwaMpumuza, ward 1 of the Msunduzi local municipality.

Shange was one of two people that were swept away with the second person surviving the incident and currently receiving medical attention.

In the second incident, one person is missing after they were swept away during a flooding incident in Ward 8 of the Maphumulo local municipality.

Yesterday’s storm uprooted trees, flooded roads and damaged both public and private property in several municipalities. Hlomuka has dispatched disaster management teams to assess to extent of the damage in Maphumulo, Msunduzi and uMngeni where it is believed the most severe storms took place.

More severe thunderstorms are forecast for KZN

Hlomuka has warned residents to be vigilant as severe thunderstorms are forecast today in the districts of uThukela, Harry Gwala, Amajuba, uMgungundlovu and Ugu. The weather warning from the South African Weather Service indicates that some of the thunderstorms are expected to become severe and will be accompanied by heavy downpours, strong damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning.

Hlomuka has appealed to residents to closely monitor the weather conditions which pose a serious risk of localised flooding in low-lying areas and areas where the ground is already saturated because of previous rains.

“We urge residents to stay indoors and if caught in a thunderstorm, they must seek shelter in a building and stay as far away as possible from trees, telephone lines and power lines. Residents are also warned to avoid travelling on bridges and roads in low-lying areas as these are susceptible to flooding,” said Hlomuka.

Disaster management teams will continue to monitor areas that are prone to weather-related incidents.

The thunderstorms will primarily affect the northeast of the province but will extend throughout the whole of KZN. According to South African Weather Services, the areas most likely affected by severe storms include Alfred Duma – Indaka, Alfred Duma – Ladysmith, Dannhauser, eDumbe, eMadlangeni, Endumeni, Ethekwini, Inkosi Langalibalele – Estcourt, Inkosi Langalibalele – Sobabili, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mpofana – Giants Castle, Mpofana – Mooi River, Msinga, Ndwedwe, Newcastle, Nkandla, Nquthu, Okhahlamba, Richmond, Msunduzi, uMlalazi, uMngeni, uMshwathi, Umvoti, Abaqulusi, Big Five Hlabisa – Hlabisa, Big Five Hlabisa – Hluhluwe, Jozini, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatuba, Nongoma, Ulundi, Umhlabuyalingana, uMhlathuze, uPhongolo.

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The newly appointed Inkosi of the Abantungwa-kholwa Traditional Community Inkosi Nhloso Mzilikazi-Junior Khumalo, 21, has vowed to follow in his late mother’s footsteps by serving his community with humility and diligence. 

Yesterday, 28 December, Inkosi was officially presented to the traditional community at a ceremony held in the Alfred Duma local municipality, in the Driefontein area, Ward 19. Inkosi takes over from his mother, Inkosi Thandekile Ruth Khumalo, who succumbed to a short illness in August this year.

The ceremony was attended by KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka who was accompanied by the Mayor of the uThukela district Cllr Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala and amakhosi from the surrounding communities.

During the ceremony, Inkosi vowed to work together with all the spheres of government to ensure that development takes place within his community. “As Inkosi, I am humbled by the responsibility that God has given me to lead his people. I have a first-hand account of the challenges that face us as a community and it is my desire to work with our community and all spheres of government to address challenges, such as the high youth unemployment within our area and gender-based violence, and to bring investment and improved service delivery to our people,” said Inkosi Khumalo.

Speaking during the ceremony, Cogta MEC Hlomuka commended the royal family of abantungwa-kholwa for prioritising stability by ensuring that the seat of ubukhosi is not left vacant for too long. Hlomuka also called upon the community to support their young Inkosi in the task that he has been given of leading isizwe. 

Hlomuka then called upon the community to be the first line of defence against anyone who would try to harm their inkosi or any of his izinduna. “As a province, we are facing unprecedented attacks on the institution of traditional leadership. We have had cases where amakhosi and izinduna are murdered by unknown assailants. While the government is doing everything possible to arrest the perpetrators and bring an end to these killings, communities themselves can play an active role by coming forward with information that could assist the law enforcement agencies,” said Hlomuka. 

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Christmas came early for the elderly and children in the communities of Gcizela, Watersmeet, Ladysmith, where MEC Hlomuka rolled out his outreach programme aimed at raising awareness about abuse towards the elderly and highlighting ways to challenge such abuses. 

The event was held on Friday, 10 December and also focused on raising awareness against Gender-Based Violence. 

During the outreach, which included residents from wards 14,15,16,17 and 19 in Alfred Duma Local Municipality, MEC Hlomuka thanked the elderly for the role they continue to play in our society. “As a province, we celebrate the elderly, many of you gathered here are playing a significant role in our communities, you raised up many of us and taught us about life and helped us to be able to be citizens who contribute to the wellbeing of the country,” said Hlomuka. 

MEC Hlomuka also paid a special visit to the 96-year-old Marry Mazibuko, Mathunjwa from Gcizela who is one of the oldest citizens in the community of Ladysmith. 

During his visit, MEC Hlomuka called for communities to continue to honour their elderly. “Gogo Methenjwa you are a blessing to our community, we honour women like yourself for the contribution they have made to our communities. It is our prayer that may God keep you and your family” said Hlomuka.

Gogo Mathenjwa cried tears of joy at being honoured by MEC Hlomuka through the special visit. 

In the outreach, the department partnered with social partners and saw the elderly and children headed households receive social relief such as groceries. 

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Ulundi: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the arrest of three suspects in the murder of Ibambabukhosi Mzomuhle Zondi of the Zondi Traditional Community, who was killed on the 10th of November by unknown assailants.

According to the South African Police Service, three suspects were arrested yesterday, (two women and a man), aged between 49 and 73 years who are expected to appear before the Nkandla Magistrates Court tomorrow, 10 December for the murder.

Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka has commended the speedy response by the police which has resulted in the arrests. 

MEC Hlomuka accompanied by the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Mr Jomo Sibiya who is also the District champion for Zululand District, met with amakhosi and izinduna from the districts of Zululand, uMkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo as part of ongoing engagements aimed at finding solutions that will stabilize the institution of traditional leadership within the province. 

The main objective of  Imbizo was to discuss the killing of amakhosi and izinduna which has become rampant in the province. 

According to a report that tabled by Brigadier Mbele, who heads the task team dealing with cases relating to the murder of amakhosi and izinduna, the province has experienced over 43 murders and attempted murders on amakhosi and izinduna since 2018. In his report Brigadier Mbele indicated that 13 amakhosi and 30 izinduna have been killed, with 43 cases having been opened (39 murder cases, attempted murder x 2, conspiracy to commit murder x1 and 1 kidnapping case). 

Mbele confirmed that one conviction was secured for the murder of Induna from Msinsini a Mr Fungwayo Shezi who was murdered, and in the case, a Mr Zondi was sentenced to 18 years in jail for the murder.

In his remarks to amakhosi and izinduna, MEC Hlomuka gave a comprehensive report on the steps the department is taking to deal with matters of amakhosi and izinduna. “As a department, we are working hard to ensure issues raised in this imbizo are given the attention they warrant,” said Hlomuka.

MEC Hlomuka also vowed that his department will continue to work with law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders to ensure that stability is brought to the institution of traditional leadership.  

Giving a message of support, MEC Sibiya called upon communities to play a proactive role in ensuring that traditional leaders feel safe.  He further encouraged society to revive the respect that has always been accorded to the institution of traditional leadership. 

In his remarks the Chairperson of the KZN Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza commended the meeting for having started to point at issues that warrant the attention of both the Government and the Institution of Traditional leadership.  He further commended the department led by MEC Hlomuka for raising the tempo in addressing issues the matter of murders of amakhosi and izinduna.

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Mr Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the appointment of contractors who will supply electricity connections to the rural communities of wards 1,2,3,4 in the Abaqulusi and ward 4 of Jozini Local Municipalities. 

The appointments which have been done by the department mark an important milestone in the lives of the 646 households who will now have access to electricity for the very first time thanks to the intervention of the department. 

Yesterday, MEC Hlomuka sent a delegation from his office to meet with the political leadership and Amakhosi to officially inform them of the appointment and the rollout plan of the project.

Under the leadership of MEC Hlomuka, the department of Cogta continues to provide strategic interventions aimed at supporting municipalities in the rollout of services to communities. Through this intervention, the department’s engineers will work closely with the appointed contractors to ensure that the 646 connections are delivered on time and within budget. 

MEC Hlomuka believes that this intervention is yet another sign of the government’s commitment to expanding access to electricity, especially in rural communities. “The municipalities of Abaqulusi and Jozini face immense financial pressures as a result of being located in deeply rural areas that have a limited rates base. Through this intervention we are ensuring that the communities are not prejudiced by financial challenges that face these municipalities” said Hlomuka. 

MEC Hlomuka has also commissioned the commencement of pre- project implementation activities which amongst others will include the setting up of site offices and holding consultative with local political leadership and amakhosi ahead of community engagements that will be led by the MEC.

Senior officials from the department will work closely with the municipalities to ensure that the necessary systems are in place for the contractors to start with the work without any delays.

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In line with his commitment to strengthening the capacity of the sphere of local government, KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has announced an extension of the contracts of over 500 interns who were recruited by the department to work in municipalities. 

This morning, Hlomuka met with the employees who are part of the department’s internship programme to inform them that KZN Cogta has received permission from the Department of Public Service and Administration for the extension of internships by six to nine months. 

According to Hlomuka, the decision to extend the internship programme is a result of the work stoppages and lockdowns which affected the interns as much as the rest of the department. “Many of you started the internship programme in 2019 when we sent you to municipalities to use your skills for the improvement of the lives of our communities. When you had just started, the world experienced the outbreak of the novel coronavirus which brought about significant disruptions to this programme. The extension is an opportunity for you to make up on the time that was lost during the lockdowns” said Hlomuka. 

Currently, the department has over 500 interns who were recruited in 2019 and who have been assigned to work in municipalities in various fields, such as engineering, town planning, information technology, finance management and accounting. 

Cogta HOD Mr Thando Tubane, who was accompanying the MEC at the gathering, describes the internship programme as being aimed at curbing youth unemployment, building capacity within municipalities and, at the same time, providing graduates with valuable work experience. 

One of the beneficiaries Ms Snenhlanhla Mabaso has hailed the programme as a breakthrough in that it provides interns with opportunities to build capacity and sharpen skills to the benefit of the beneficiary municipalities. 

Another beneficiary of the programme, Thokani Nene from eMandeni, also praised the programme which has assisted him in being able to register with the professional body in his field of expertise.

The Mayor of the uMgungundlovu District Cllr Mzi Zuma also attended the meeting and thanked the department for providing these opportunities to graduates. 

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