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KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has expressed grave disappointment at the criticism of municipal governance in the province, chiefly focused on Msunduzi, voiced by its former Senior Official Lionel Pienaar.

Pienaar served at KZN Cogta in various Senior Management positions for decades, even during the time predating the democratic government instituted in 1994. He was a Chief Director since 1996 and also acted as the Deputy Director General for the Local Government Branch.  During this time one of his responsibilities was the management of the Section 139 Interventions.  He retired from the department earlier this year and is currently a candidate for the Umgungundlovu District council for the Inkatha Freedom Party.

“It is surreal to watch Pienaar use his new platform as an opposition candidate in the upcoming local government elections to criticise issues in municipal governance which he himself was directing for the longest time and thus had ample opportunity to resolve during his time in government,” said KZN Cogta’s Head of Department Thando Tubane.

“If anyone knows how much time and energy KZN Cogta is devoting to ensuring that the province’s municipalities function optimally, it should be Pienaar given his exceedingly long tenure in the public service. His criticism is disingenuous and entirely self-serving,” said Tubane.

KZN Cogta wishes the IFP – Pienaar’s current political home – the best of luck using his expertise in local government which clearly failed to make the sort of difference in the province’s municipalities Pienaar is now so ardently calling for as a candidate.

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With the 2021 local government elections only days away, this is the last stretch of the term of local government whose representatives were elected into office in 2016. As such, this is a good time to reflect on what KZN municipalities have achieved during this time and where more work is needed in the next term of local government which will effectively commence next month.

“We have just concluded our second assessment of municipalities in KZN, the first such assessment having taken place just after the 2019 provincial elections. The highlights of this latest assessment must be shared with the outgoing local government representatives and for the benefit of future ones,” says KZN MEC for Cooperative and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).

For this purpose, KZN Cogta hosted an engagement with the outgoing local government representatives in the province. The engagement also featured national Minister of Cogta Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala who both addressed the delegates. Some of the successes achieved in KZN municipalities during the 2016-2021 term of local government include:

• Despite the current term of local government starting with an increased number of coalition and hung municipalities and despite the beginning of this term experiencing instability in 14 municipal councils, we are ending this term on a high note with only 4 municipalities that experience instability in their councils.
• Section 106 investigations have been concluded in more than 20 municipalities. There are municipalities that have moved rapidly and implemented the recommendations made in the Section 106 reports, even to the extent of laying criminal charges.
• There is also marked improvement in municipal compliance with legislated timeframes set for the adoption of the IDPs, Budgets, Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plans as well as the timeous signing of Performance Agreements for senior managers and submission of Annual Financial Statements and Annual Performance Reports to the Auditor General.
• Many KZN municipalities are now filling their vacant senior management positions quickly to avoid creating a vacuum in their administration. As a result, the vacancy rate across the province’s municipalities has been reduced to 12.77% as at September 2021.
• We have overseen a dramatic reduction in municipal debt owed to Eskom, leaving only 3 municipalities with long outstanding debt, namely Newcastle, Ulundi and Mpofana. These municipalities have, however, been supported to facilitate agreements on payment plans with the power utility.
• Fewer of our municipalities are now reliant on consultants to compile their Annual Financial Statements because they have actively developed internal capacity throughout the current term to perform this function internally.
• There has also been a marked improvement in municipal grant spending, with only uMkhanyakude district failing to spend 100% of its Municipal Infrastructure Grant by June 2021.
• Infrastructure backlogs have marginally decreased across the municipal sphere compared to the pre-democracy era. This is largely due to the broad availability of infrastructure grants and improvements in their expenditure. The availability of the EPWP grant has also been instrumental in addressing local unemployment challenges in municipalities.
• KZN Cogta has channeled significant financial investments into Small Town Rehabilitation, Community Service Centres, LED projects, and water and electricity projects. These interventions have undisputedly improved the lives of beneficiary communities while also improving the economic prospects of entire regions of KZN that had previously been neglected.
• More than 50% of the province’s districts now have Disaster Management Centres and those outstanding have allocated budgets to either complete their centres or begin their construction. This has improved our capacity to mitigate the impact of disasters significantly across the board even we face increasing environmental challenges due to climate change. 
• KZN Cogta has also supported municipalities through the procurement of yellow plant equipment which has been distributed to benefit each district and its family of local municipalities. This equipment is addressing the most urgent issues of infrastructure maintenance while it is also saving municipalities money that would have gone into procuring it by themselves.

“The current term of local government has seen significant improvements in the way our municipalities are governed, institutionally supported, financially managed and in the way they deliver services to communities. Many of these improvements were made possible by the hands-on support provided by the KZN Provincial Government in general and KZN Cogta in particular,” said Hlomuka.

The new term of local government, which will effectively commence next month once the results of the 2021 local government elections are declared, will be built on solid foundations of the previous successes and KZN Cogta will continue to work closely with the newly elected municipal governments to ensure that the province’s local government institutions prosper in the years ahead.

Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs 

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The rural village of Mfekayi in the Mtubatuba local municipality now has electricity for the very first time since the dawn of democracy thanks to the injection of R11-million by the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) which funded 270 household connections in the area. 

This morning KZN MEC for Cogta Sipho Hlomuka visited the village where he officially switched on the electrification project. A local resident, Douglas Zulu, has hailed the electrification project for restoring his hope in government. “This project has helped us as a community. We can now access the modern-day conveniences of electricity. It has been truly life-changing for many of us,” said Zulu.

Speaking during the visit to the Zulu household, Hlomuka emphasised the Provincial Government’s commitment to achieving universal access to basic services, such as electricity. “Currently as a province, we have 2.5 million households with access to electricity. We are here today to witness the increase in this number as 270 more houses can access the grid. We are determined to eradicate the electricity backlog” said Hlomuka. 

Hlomuka also urged the beneficiaries of the programme to protect the infrastructure the Provincial Government has built for their benefit. During the visit, Hlomuka was accompanied by the Mayor of Mtubatuba, Cllr VT Ncamphalala, who hailed the government’s support which has assisted communities within the municipality to access electricity and other services. 

“The ongoing support we are receiving from the provincial and national government through the various grants is making a big difference in our efforts as Mtubatuba to bring services closer to our communities,” said Mayor Ncamphalala. KZN Cogta, under the leadership of MEC Hlomuka, continues to invest millions of rand in grants to assist municipalities to deal with the electrification backlog in the province.

Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

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Venue: eMadungeni, ubuhlebezwe ward 12

In order to create vibrant agricultural communities and improve food security, the Provincial Government has formally launched this year’s planting season in Madungeni in uBuhlebezwe local municipality under the Harry Gwala district today.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka and the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bongi Sithole Moloi, together with the Harry Gwala district Mayor Zamo Nxumalo and the Mayor of uBuhlebezwe Cllr Ngubo, officially launched the planting season programme in the district.

Through this programme, communities across the district and the area of eMadungeni will be provided with specialised support that will assist them in their efforts to till the land.

Within the programme, 3500 hectares of land are earmarked for farming produce, such as cabbages, carrots and other vegetables. The Department of Agriculture is providing seedlings and farming equipment, such as tractors, for this purpose.

Mayor Nxumalo, in delivering his welcoming remarks during the event, welcomed the annual rollout of this programme which reminds communities of the importance of farming. “As a district, we have experienced good rains and are excited by the opportunity this programme presents to us,” he said.

Nxumalo also expressed his happiness with the significant increase in the number of people from the eMadungeni community who are turning to farming. 

In her address to the community, MEC Sithole-Moloi called for the youth to look at the sector as a possible career: “We all have to eat; no one can survive without food and you as the young people of the Harry Gwala district are blessed with vasts amounts of land which need to be worked on so that you can be part of the farming community that feeds our nation,” she said. 

One of the beneficiaries – Mkhipheni Memela (65) from Atlas co-operative, based at Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma municipality, said he is grateful for the support from the Department of Agriculture. 

MEC Hlomuka, who is also the political champion of the district under Operation Sukuma Sakhe, called on the community to make use of the support that is being provided by the government: “This support will ensure that our communities have food security. We must not turn our backs on working the land. Many of us grew up planting crops in our homes so let us continue with that good practice to grow our own food and take care of our families,” he said.

As part of the launch of this year’s planting season, the two MECs and the two Mayors handed over an assortment of farming tools to the cooperatives. 

Joint media statement issued by the Department of Cogta, DARD, the Harry Gwala District Municipality and the uBuhlebezwe Local Municipality

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has travelled to the crisis-ridden uMkhanyakude district municipality today where he called on its councillors to rise above their narrow self-interest and place the needs of their communities first. 

Hlomuka today met with the councillors and management of the municipality in Mkhuze following a series of protests which saw angry community members blockading the district’s headquarters. Their main complaint has been about the municipality’s inability to provide critical services, such as water provision. 

In his address to the council, Hlomuka expressed his concerns and disappointment about the councillors’ apparent failure to provide solid leadership and stability to the municipality that has been plagued by infighting which is now seriously compromising service delivery. 

“As councillors, although you are at the end of your term, you still have the responsibility to ensure that your successors inherit a functional municipality. You have clearly not been equal to the task the people of uMkhanyakude bestowed on you. The remaining days of your term are an opportunity to address issues raised by your communities. I, as MEC for Cogta, cannot take your place as elected representatives of the people of uMkhanyakude,” said Hlomuka.

During the meeting, Hlomuka urged the management of the municipality to ensure that their workers do their jobs to advance the municipality. The MEC also demanded an explanation from the council and management regarding the role played by uMkhanyakude staff in the blockading of the municipality’s headquarters with municipal water tankers. 

During today’s special council sitting, uMkhanyakude’s Mayor Cllr Tim Moodley offered his perspective on the challenges that are faced by his municipality. In his response, Administrator Bamba Ndwandwe tabled a report on the status of the Provincial Government’s intervention in the municipality so far. 

Hlomuka has vowed that his department would not allow the municipality to descend further into chaos but would continue to provide wide-ranging support to the municipality. 

Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs 

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka has expressed his concern with the failure by the Abaqulusi local municipality to maintain critical infrastructure in the town of Vryheid and the township of Bhekuzulu. This morning MEC Hlomuka paid a special visit to the Bhekuzulu township where he conducted a clean-up campaign and inspected the de-clogging of the sewer plant which caused serious health hazards to residents as it was clogged and had sewerage going into people’s homes. 

In his visit, the MEC was accompanied by officials from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs who inspected the clean-up of the sewer plant. This visit follows the complaints that were raised by community members when MEC Hlomuka was visiting the area two weeks ago. 

Speaking during the visit, MEC Hlomuka expressed his concern at the deplorable state that the people of Bhekuzulu were living under having to contend with sewerage spilling over into their homes as a result of the failure by the municipality to maintain the plant. MEC Hlomuka also called upon the community members to ensure that they follow proper waste disposal guides and not throw things that do not belong in a sewerage system. 

In the visit the MEC was accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of the Abaqulusi Cllr Maphisa, the Mayor of eDumbe Cllr Kunene, Mayor of oPhongolo Cllr Mhlongo and the Cogta HOD Mr Thando Tubane.

The intervention of the MEC compelled the municipality to move with pace to address the maintenance of the plant, the MEC has vowed that his department will continue to keep a close eye on municipalities across the province to ensure that they deliver services to communities. 

“As a department we want our municipalities to fulfil their duties, when resident’s complaint to us about service delivery we are compelled to act and ensure that our municipalities deliver,” said Hlomuka.

Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. 

The communities of Highflats, uMzimkhulu, Ixopo and Bulwer under the Harry Gwala District Municipality will finally receive reprieve from their water woes and have access to water closer to their homes and businesses.

This comes after the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala today, inspected and commissioned a borehole at KwaSkeyi – a rural community in Highflats. The Premier also drank the clean water flowing out of the borehole during the launch of the KwaZulu-Natal Water Master Plan and Borehole Intervention Programme.

The Water Master Plan spells out the water related challenges and outlines the short, medium and long term solutions. As part of the medium-term measures the provincial government through the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has built 250 boreholes in six districts; Amajuba, uMkhanyakude, Zululand, uMzinyathi, uThukela and Harry Gwala.

Addressing scores of community members during an engagement in Mzwandile Mhlawuli Sportfield in uMzumkhulu, Premier Zikalala said the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal has prioritised the provision of water and other basic services including electricity, sanitation, roads and internet access.

“We are pleased that this launch of these production boreholes and production pumps occurs as we conclude Public Service Month and Heritage Month. This is a testament to the ANC-led government’s commitment to fulfil the constitutionally enshrined right to water which is guaranteed in our Bill of Rights. It is also appropriate that the ANC- government adopted the theme for the 2021 Human Rights which is held every year in March, as South Africa’s Water Month with the theme of “Water for All.” Government has a keen interest in ensuring that everyone especially those in rural communities also taste the full benefits of freedom by ensuring that they receive basic services like water and decent sanitation,” said Premier Zikalala.“Water is life. It is a precious resource we cannot survive without. We cannot grow the economy and create employment without it. It is necessary for agriculture and is always at the heart of economic development. With the advent of COVID-19, we also saw water becoming central in fighting the pandemic which first announced itself in KwaZulu-Natal in March 2020. Our prevention strategy for arresting the spread of the infectious virus has been based on strict hand hygiene by washing hands regularly,” said Premier Zikalala.

Furthermore, Premier Zikalala said other major water projects include:• The uMshwathi Bulk Water Scheme launched in November 2020 at cost of R 500 million;• The Lower uMkhomazi BWSS Umgeni Water which is estimated to be completed in 2023 at an estimated total cost of R 3 billion;• Cwabeni Project Location which will be completed in 2022 at an estimated total cost of R 1 billion.• Stephen Dlamini Dam – the estimated project cost is R1billion and the estimated completion date is 2023;• uMkhomazi Water Project: once completely developed, phase 1 and phase 2, will be the largest water transfer scheme in South Africa, at an estimated total cost of R 23 billion.

“The Water Master Plan is one of the clearest indications by our government of our commitment to building better communities by delivery that is tangible, demonstrable and measurable. This Provincial Water Master Plan lays out all the facets of that requirement and will be a test of our mission to build a capable developmental state which adequately addresses the needs of our people in its delivery of quality, sustainable services. The plan will require no less than R150 billion in the next ten to fifteen years,” said Premier Zikalala.

Premier Zikalala was joined by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Ravi Pillay, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bongi Sithole-Moloi, MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza, MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane, MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Jomo Sibiya, Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Chairperson Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza and local leadership, Provincial Planning Commission Chairperson Mzimkulu Msiwa the Director-General of the Province Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize.

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka has called for greater transparency and dialogue between the uThukela Water Board and its shareholders which are the Districts of Mzinyathi, Amajuba and the Newcastle Local Municipality. 

Uthukela Water Board as an entity supplies bulk potable water to the three Water Service Authorities of Newcastle, Amajuba and uMzinyathi. 

MEC Hlomuka met with the Water Board and representatives of its shareholders today.

During the meeting, the entity made a presentation on its current financial state which is quite dire as it is owed R 243 million by the municipalities that it supplies with water and has a backlog of infrastructure to the tune of R700 million. 

In his address to the management of the entity and shareholder representatives, MEC Hlomuka expressed his concern at the deteriorating financial situation of the entity which was found to have serious governance breaches and failures by a section 106 forensic investigation that was done by the department and handed over to the shareholder for implementation of its recommendations.

“We are concerned with allegations of nepotism and the failure to follow all proper processes as outline in the Municipal Finance Management Act. These governance failures are compromising the entity and we want you as shareholders and management to deal with these allegations that were set out in the forensic report” said Hlomuka. 

The entity also faced allegations of racism which were investigated by the department and sustained but the entity has failed to act against the perpetrators. 

The MEC has directed the shareholders of the entity to strengthen their oversight and implement measures that will hold to account the management of the entity and those that have since resigned but had committed criminal acts. 

Should the shareholders fail to exercise proper oversight the viability of the entity could come into question. 

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has urged residents to exercise extreme caution as inclement weather conditions continue across large parts of the province. 

Heavy rain in and around Durban has led to a landslide at La Mercy where parts of a road collapsed and a section of a house was washed away. In KwaDukuza, Ward 16, a house collapsed as a result of the heavy rains. No injuries or fatalities were reported in these incidents, both of which took place this morning. 

Hlomuka has assigned disaster management teams to provide the necessary support to the affected families and to investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents. The teams are continuing to monitor areas that are prone to weather-related incidents. Residents who experience weather-related incidents are urged to contact their local disaster management centre. 

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Mr Sipho Hlomuka, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, officiated over the event, which saw the Phezukomkhono Youth Agricultural Cooperative under isiZwe sakwaXolo in Ray Nkonyeni municipality receiving a cheque of R6,5 million. The ceremony took place on Saturday, August 28, 2021, in KwaXolo Traditional Council.

Inkosi MBW Xolo, uGu District Mayor, Cllr SR Ngcobo, uMdoni Local Mayor Cllr ST Khathi, and Ray Nkonyeni accompanied Hlomuka.

Hlomuka saw it fit to fund this cooperative that is within the department’s approach to LED, which states that the department must embark on an initiative of developing rural areas through Amakhosi Economic Development support called Rural Economic Development.

Lindokuhle Nzala of Phezukomkhono Cooperative and who is also the Chairperson of these youth-owned cooperative said that they produce vegetables and agricultural crops such as maize and chilies, as well as raising pigs, rabbits, and chickens. He also stated that they produce seedlings that they plant and sell to the general public.

Nzala also praised the department for its assistance in moving them forward in their fight against unemployment and poverty. “We are grateful to the department led by Mr Sipho Hlomuka, who observed us working hard and needing to expand but were unable to do so due to a lack of resources such as infrastructure. As a result of his assistance, our goal will come true; we will grow,  generate employment, and combat poverty”, said Nzama.

Hlomuka saw and applauded the efforts of these young people, which benefits rural communities. “We’ve observed the efforts of KwaXolo’s youth through a cooperative named Phezukomkhono. We are delighted to see young people take an interest in farming and livestock. The majority of the time farming is associated with the elderly people. Their efforts will help to battle unemployment and grow rural regions. We will continue to help youth, particularly in rural communities, as a department”, said Hlomuka.

Hlomuka also urged the KwaXolo community to keep supporting the cooperative.

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