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Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has expressed his sadness on learning of the news of the passing of Inkosi Elliott Zamokuhle Mkhize of the uKuthula Traditional Council in the uMdoni local municipality under the Ugu district.

Inkosi passed away yesterday following a short illness. Hlomuka has sent condolences to the Inkosi’s family, the Traditional Council and to the Local House of Traditional Leaders in the Ugu district where Inkosi had served diligently.

The MEC has also dispatched senior officials from the department to provide support to the grieving family.

KZN Cogta MEC Hlomuka has also learned with great sadness of the passing of the struggle stalwart Alfred Duma, aged 94.

Duma held a special place in the hearts of many within the province for his bravery in the face of adversity as he stood against the apartheid regime.

In him, the province and country have lost a fountain of wisdom. They have lost a dedicated activist who served the people of South Africa with integrity at the risk of his own life.

In 2016, following the amalgamation of the Indaka and the Mnambithi local municipalities, residents decided to name the newly formed municipality after Alfred Duma in honour of this hero of the struggle.

Hlomuka has sent his heart-felt condolences to the Duma family.

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has learnt with shock and sadness the news of the untimely passing of the Mayor of the King Cetshwayo District, Cllr Nonhle Mkhulisi.

Mkhulisi passed away following a short illness in the early hours of this morning.

Hlomuka has sent his condolences to the Mkhulisi family, the King Cetshwayo family of municipalities, the KZN Chapter of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) where the late Mayor served as Chairperson and to her party – the African National Congress.

Mkhulisi was of a rare breed of public representatives who helped shape what we now know as the sphere of local government in our country. In her, the local government in our province has lost a formidable leader who understood our communities and sought to serve them with integrity until her final days.

“As a province, we are lost for words, for we have truly lost the best amongst us. We have lost a humble servant who worked diligently for the people of our province and the King Cetshwayo District. Her passing leaves a deep void in the sphere of local government in KZN,” said Hlomuka.

Hlomuka has wished strength and comfort to the Mkhulisi family and the people of King Cetshwayo district as they mourn the loss of their leader.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has warned residents across the province to exercise extreme caution when approaching large bodies of water.

This warning from the MEC, comes following three incidents that were reported yesterday in the Jozini Municipality where three people are believed to have drowned. In the first incident two boys aged 8 and 9 in Othobothini drowned when they were swimming in the local river. In the second incident in Ndumo a 30-year-old male is believed to have drowned while attempting to cross a river. Both incidents are still being investigated by the police.

Cogta MEC has expressed his concern at these incidents and has appealed to parents to ensure that children are not left unattended near large bodies of water. Hlomuka has also warned residents to not cross rivers but instead to use safer options.

“We are concerned with the reports that we have received and want to appeal to all residents to continue to be vigilant. Large bodies of water are very dangerous and one must not attempt to cross a river since the strength of the current could be very strong” said Hlomuka.

Hlomuka has dispatched disaster management teams to the affected families to provided interim relief.

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka today assigned a team of senior officials to table before the Msunduzi and Richmond councils a report on the forensic investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration and statutory non-compliance at these municipalities in terms of Section 106(1)(b) of the Municipal Systems Act.

The reports tabled before the councils make various findings, including but not limited to, the incurring of irregular expenditure, the irregular appointment of service providers, failure by officials to keep full and proper records on financial and other matters with recommendations to ensure corrective measures are taken to recover losses and enforce consequence management where applicable.

The municipalities have been given 21 days within which to revert to the MEC on their respective plan of action to implement the findings of the reports.

The tabling of these reports which have been undertaken by the department is yet another confirmation of the provincial governments commitment to good clean governance within the sphere of local government in our province.

Hon. Minister for Cogta, Dr Dlamini-Zuma;

Hon. MEC for Cogta in Limpompo;

Hon. MEC for Cogta in Mpumalanga;

Members of the media

We would first like thank the Minister for convening this important briefing for us to update the nation on our response as a province to the heavy downpours we experienced the 24^th and 25^th of January as a result of the Tropical Cyclone Eloise.

Early warning

In our province three Districts were identified by the South African Weather Service as the areas that will likely experience severe weather conditions as a result of the storm brought by the Cyclone. These were the uMkhanyakude district where the highest level of risk was assigned in areas such as Big Five-Hlabisa, Jozini, Mtubatuba and uMhlabuyalinga local municipalities.

The weather reports indicated also indicated that parts of the King Cetshwayo and Zululand districts were also expected to receive heavy rains although to a lesser extent.

Immediately upon receiving the alert, our Provincial Disaster Management Centre convened its daily JOC meetings with the identified municipalities and other stakeholders where concrete plans were put into place to prepare for an effective emergency response.

As a result of the early coordination facilitated by our department an extensive awareness programme was embarked upon in these areas, with loud hailing to warn communities in areas that are considered high risk. This was coupled with intensive engagements with our community radio stations where residents were warned about the negative impact of the expected storms.

We also promptly engaged with our amakhosi and their Traditional Councils, as well as with all affected Ward Committees, Councillors and Community Development Workers in all target areas to spread the message.

Our message was very simple:

• We called on those residing in low-lying areas or near rivers to seek higher ground;
• We called for vigilance from community members and we urged them to follow all updates regarding the weather on the news; and
• We urged communities to obey instructions from their local disaster management officials should they require households in their areas to evacuate to safety

In all of these efforts, our main aim was to protect human life.

IMPACT OF THE INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS

Our province has a history of disasters in which many lives are routinely lost. It is for this reason that we could not take the warnings we received from the South African Weather Service lightly.

As part of our disaster response plan, we engaged with our sister departments regarding emergency plans should the need arise to render disaster relief if and when there are people who are displaced by the inclement weather conditions.

When the heavy rains began on Sunday, we were hoping that our province would be spared any major calamity.

SCOPE OF THE DAMAGE

MKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT:

On the 24^th and 25^th of January 2021, Jozini Local Municipality experienced heavy rainfall and flooding incidents that affected almost all wards. Our latest information indicates that so far a total number of two hundred and eighty (280) households and nine hundred and sixteen (916) people. There were approximately one hundred and seventy-five (175) completely destroyed houses and one hundred and ten (110) partial destroyed houses. This devastation left thirty-five (35) families homeless however it was fortunate that there were no injuries or fatalities reported.

Interim relief is being provided to the affected families in the form of blankets, tents, sponges and mattresses, food parcels and temporary shelters for displaced families.

 

A number of local access roads were flooded and blocked off as a result of the heavy rains in the Mkhanyakude district. These roads are D1836, D1834, D1830, D9 and P44. The Department of Transport has allocated additional resources which will be used to clear up some of these roads and re-gravel them in due course.

 

ZULULAND DISTRICT

 

ABAQULUSI

We received said news of a fatality in this municipality. A 14-year-old boy drowned yesterday in KwaShoba, in Ward 13 of Abaqulusi. The details are still sketchy as this incident took place late yesterday. We express our condolences to the affected family. Our teams are providing support to them.

On Sunday heavy rainfall also led to a structural collapse incident where one (01) household in ward 13, Esilweni area, as a result two (02) boys were injured and taken to hospital and they have both been discharged. Relief is being provided to the affected family.

 

UPHONGOLO

On the 24^th of January 2021, the uPhongolo Local Municipality experienced heavy rainfall and flooding incidents which affected a total number of twelve (12) households in ward 8, ward 9, ward 10 and ward 13. There were seven (07) completely destroyed houses in ward 7, ward 8 and ward 9. There were six (06) partially destroyed houses in ward 02 and ward 10. There were no injuries or fatalities reported.

Caution needed as more rains are expected

Hon Minister we strongly believe that our early warning from the South African Weather Service and the work done by our disaster management teams and other stakeholders assisted us to limit the risk of loss of life.

Our teams are still cautious as more rains are expected in the course of the week according to the South African Weather Service.

We continue to monitor the situation on the ground as conditions are expected to become potentially more dangerous as the ground is already saturated with excess water from the rains.

We continue to appeal to our communities to abide by the instructions of their local disaster management officials. We cannot understate the importance of this.

Conclusion

We continue to ensure that all sector departments are on board in line with the multi-sectoral response plan that has been adopted and that all of them are on standby to offer the required support pre-, during and post-disaster. We must also re-iterate that all our stakeholders are duly participating in the JOCs, including all our OSS Champions in line with our District Development Model approach.

We are confident that working together we can minimise the impact of Eloise on the ground, save human lives and safeguard both public infrastructure and private property.

I thank you!

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.