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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has warned residents in the uMkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo and Zululand districts of severe heavy rains that are expected there as a result of the tropical storm Eloise which is to further intensify from its current status and become a tropical cyclone.

The storm is currently located in the central part of the Mozambique Channel and its impact in the province is expected to start from Sunday going into Monday.

The latest forecast from the South African Weather Service indicates that severe disruptive rain could be expected in the Big Five-Hlabisa, Jozini, Mtubatuba, uMhlabuyalinga, Abaqulusi, eDumbe, Mthonjaneni, Nongoma, Ulundi, uMlalazi and uPhongolo municipalities.

The areas that are expected to be severely affected could receive significant amounts of rainfall (exceeding 100mm) and possibly strong winds. This could cause widespread flooding of roads and settlements. It could also cause damage to infrastructure and properties.

Hlomuka has placed disaster management teams on high alert as the inclement weather conditions pose a serious risk to human life. “We are very concerned about these weather patterns that are developing. We are appealing to our communities to limit their movement as roads in these areas could be flooded. Our teams will be monitoring areas that are prone to floods,” said Hlomuka.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has issued a warning of heavy downpours that have the potential to cause flooding in various parts of KZN particularly in the northern areas regarding the approaching Tropical Storm Eloise. The MEC has thus placed disaster management teams in the uMkhanyakude District on high alert to prepare for emergency response to all incidents related to the storm if necessary.

This move follows reports that have been received by the department from the South African Weather Service indicating the possibility of heavy rains in the Northern parts of the province this Sunday as a result of the Tropical Storm Eloise.

“Eloise” is currently situated in the Mozambique Channel and is expected to make land fall in Mozambique.

According to the latest update from the South African Weather Service, the intensity of the storms that could be experienced by the province is greatly reduced.  As a precaution communities situated in the low lying areas are being warned to be on high alert.

MEC Hlomuka has placed Disaster Management teams on high alert. The teams will be monitoring areas in the Mkhanyakude District that are prone to weather-related incidents so that they can provide assistance to communities should the need arise.

Hlomuka has urged communities in the Northern parts of the province to be vigilant and to take all the necessary precautions.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre continues to track and monitor the movement of the storm and updates will be provided as soon as they are available.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has condemned the murder of yet another Induna in the Mgungundlovu district – Bongumusa Mdluli who served as induna under the Manyavu Traditional Council. He was gunned down by unknown assailants in his home near Cato Ridge on Sunday.

This tragedy brings to two the number of izinduna who have been killed over the weekend in the Mgungundlovu district, following the murder of Richard Bonginkosi Dlomo was served as induna under the Nxamalala Sub Clan who was also gunned down in his home near Howick.

Hlomuka has called on the affected communities to work with the police towards the apprehension of anyone who could have been involved in these murders.

Hlomuka has also expressed his concern at the flagrant disregard for human life by forces that are hell-bent on undermining the institution of traditional leadership within our province.

“We appeal to communities to not take the law into their own hands but to work with the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the cowards who committed these acts are brought to justice,” said Hlomuka.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has paid homage to the three Amakhosi that passed away this week following a short illness.

Hlomuka has hailed them for their selfless service which they have showed in how they served their communities. “The loss of these three Amakhosi comes a big blow to the institution of traditional leadership in our province. It is sad for us to lose such leaders in succession like this at a time when our communities need their guidance” said Hlomuka.

Inkosi P.J Ngubane of the Bomvu Traditional Council passed away yesterday and Inkosi T Mntungwa of the Baso Traditional Council passed away this morning. Both Amakhosi are from Msinga under the uMzinyathi District.

Under the Ilembe District, Inkosi S.A Hlongwa of the Hlongwa Traditional Council passed away on Thursday, 14 January.

MEC Hlomuka has also sent his condolences to his Majesty the King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.

The MEC for Cogta, Sipho Hlomuka has dispatched senior officials from the department to provide support to the families of Amakhosi as they deal with this tragedy.

Ends.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has urged residents across the province to be vigilant as weather conditions continue to deteriorate.

Since new years eve, parts of the province have been experiencing heavy rains which in some areas have caused damage to public infrastructure (roads, electricity) in areas like eThekwini and Msunduzi. This has resulted in several communities not having electricity with engineers working hard to restore power to the affected areas.

The department has received reports of damage to houses in the Greater Kokstad Municipality and Okhahlamba Municipalities where several houses were partially damaged by strong winds and heavy rains yesterday.

Disaster Management teams have been dispatched to the affected areas and are conducting assessments of the extent of the damage. So far no reports of injuries or fatalities have been received.

MEC Hlomuka has appealed to residents to continue to be cautious as the weather conditions are expected to persist over the weekend.

Pietermaritzburg: In yet another blow to the institution of traditional leadership within the province of KwaZulu-Natal KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has learned of the passing of Inkosi Ngonyama Rudolf Madlala (48) of the Madlala Traditional Council in uMshwathi under the uMgungundlovu District.

Inkosi’s sudden passing which took yesterday evening following a short illness leaves a deep void within the institution of traditional leadership within the Province.

The passing of Inkosi Madlala comes days following the loss of another respected traditional leader, Ibambabukhosi M.M.S Mthethwa of the Mhlana Traditional Authority in Mbonambi in the Mfolozi Local Municipality under the King Cetshwayo District.

Ibamba Mthethwa who is being laid to his final resting place today played an important role in bringing stability to Isizwe SabaThethwa. Isizwe continues to be in the prayerful thoughts of the MEC.

MEC Hlomuka has sent heartfelt condolences to his Majesty the King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu in what has been a tumultuous year for the institution of traditional leadership within the province, where it lost eight (8) amakhosi which include two AmaBambabukhosi.

Hlomuka has also sent condolences to the Province’s Provincial House of Traditional Leaders which is under the leadership of the Inkosi Chiliza.

Hlomuka has dispatched senior officials from the department to provide support and assistance to the Madlala and Mhlana Traditional Authorities as they deal with the loss of their respected leaders.

Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has learnt with shock and sadness of the untimely passing of the Municipal Manager of the Richmond local municipality Mr Sikhombiso Mthembu (60) this morning following a short illness.

The news of Mthembu’s passing comes at a time when the municipality is still mourning the passing of two of its staff members who also succumbed to a short illness; Mr Tyran Andrew Ramnath (38) who served as the Senior Human Resource Officer who passed away 23 December, Mr Mabhekisisa Bigboy Mhlongo (53) who served as the Strategic Manager for Community Services who passed away on 17 December.  

These deaths come at a time when the sphere of local government in the province is facing immense pressure as a result of the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus which has had a negative impact on municipalities. 

The loss of yet another footsoldier in the battle to improve the lives of our people through the tangible delivery of services comes as a big blow to us as the sphere of local government in the province and the community of Richmond. 

Mthembu had been a loyal servant of the people Richmond and used his extensive experience in local government to serve his community. 

Hlomuka has sent condolences to the Mthembu family and the municipality.

The department continues to engage the administrator in the municipality to ensure that adequate support is provided to staff as they deal with this traumatic incident. 

Hlomuka has also assured residents that his department is working closely with the political leadership and the administrator to ensure that Richmond continues to function optimally.

Emanyiseni, Umhlabuyalingana: Inclement weather conditions continue to wreak havoc across rural communities in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. In the last two weeks, the province’s disaster management teams have dealt with several incidents where lives were lost as a result of severe weather conditions.

In the latest incident, two people lost their lives in eManyiseni under uMhlabuyalingana Municipality in Northern KZN when lightning strikes their home killing both parents of a six-month-old baby. The incident took place in the Mngomezulu households yesterday.

In a separate incident in Jozini ward 15 in Ndabeni area, a 70 year-old male was fatally injured in a lightning strike.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka has dispatched Disaster Management teams to the affected area to provide support to the affected families.

MEC Hlomuka has also expressed his concern at the increasing number of incidents where lightning strikes kill people in the province. The latest incident means that in the space of two weeks the province has lost eight lives (two in Nongoma, One in uLundi, Two in Mooi-Mpofana, Two in uMhlabuyalingana and One in Jozini) as a result of lightning strikes.

Hlomuka continues to appeal to all residents in the province to exercise extreme caution when faced with inclement weather conditions. “We are appealing to all residents to take heed to the safety protocols that need to be applied wherever there are weather warning,” said Hlomuka.

MEC Hlomuka has sent condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones as a result of lightning strikes.

Residents are urged: If outdoors seek shelter immediately but DO NOT seek shelter under a tree, under telephone lines and/or power lines. Avoid outdoor activities as hail, strong winds and lightning may result in injuries. Avoid low lying roads and bridges as they are susceptible to flooding. If possible stay indoors well clear of windows, shelter pets, cover vehicles and disconnect electrical appliances.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka has learned with shock and sadness of the passing of the Mayor of uMlalazi Local Municipality Cllr Thelumoya Bazil Zulu, who passed away today following a short illness.

MEC Hlomuka has expressed his dismay at learning of the news of the passing of Cllr Zulu who was a committed servant of the people.

Cllr Zulu served in various roles prior to being the Mayor. He served as a PR Councillor for the ANC in 2008. He was then elected as the Mayor of uMlalazi following the 2011 local government. His wealth of knowledge of local government came into good use as he led the council with distinction in addressing service delivery issues within the municipality which got him re-elected as the Mayor for the second term following the 2016 local government elections.

“In him, the residents of uMlalazi had a dependable leader. He never shied away from challenges and dealt with them head-on. We often witnessed him visiting residents and businesses dealing with issues first hand, all in the interest of serving his community” said Hlomuka.

“As the sphere of local government, we have lost a genuine leader whose contributions will be missed. We lose such a leader at a time when this sphere is facing severe pressures placed on it by the outbreak of the Novel Corona Virus. During these times Cllr Zulu was one of the Mayors that was at the forefront fighting against the spread of the virus in our communities through the speedy roll-out of essential services” adds Hlomuka.

Cogta MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has sent condolences to the family of Cllr Zulu, who have had to make immense sacrifices so that their father can fulfil his call of serving the residents of uMlalazi.

Hlomuka has also sent condolences to the family of municipalities within the King Cetshwayo District and to the African National Congress the political home Cllr Zulu belonged to.