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As part of the World Water Week which started on 24 August, KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has called on residents across the province to continue to use water wisely. The province’s water supply remains at low levels as a result of the drought that continues to affect large parts of KZN.

“In honour the World Water Week, which is an important moment when we reflect on the importance of water and how we utilise it. We are appealing to all residents in the province to continue to use water sparingly. Water is a scarce resource and conserving water is a responsibility that we all share,” said Hlomuka.

Currently, in the province the average water levels in dams are 56.7%, which indicates that KZN is in a critical but stable place in terms of its water provision. Last week the uThukela district implemented water restrictions following the critical drop in water levels in the Klip River water catchment area. This means that the town of Ladysmith and surrounding areas will be undergoing water rationing.

Hlomuka has also appealed to residents to ensure that children are educated about the importance of saving water. He has also appealed to communities to report all water leaks to the relevant authorities. “Our province continues to lose millions of litres of water a day as a result of leaks. In the fight to preserve water, every drop counts. It is our responsibility to report water leaks,” added Hlomuka.

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has learned with shock and sadness of the senseless murder of Inkosi Mncube of the Mbokodwebomvu Traditional Council in Nquthu under the uMzinyathi District Municipality.

Reports received by the department indicate that yesterday afternoon, Inkosi Mncube who was travelling with his uncle were attacked by unknown assailants while they were on the main road between Nquthu and Babanango.  Inkosi and his uncle, unfortunately, did not make it as they died under the hail of bullets that were fired at their vehicle.

Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka has condemned this senseless murder which has robbed the Mbokodwebomvu Traditional Community and the institution of traditional leadership in the province of a leader and community builder.

Hlomuka has called upon law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in the search for the perpetrators of this act of cowardice. “We are appealing to communities to come forward with information which will lead to the arrest of the cowards who have done this disgraceful deed” adds Hlomuka.

Hlomuka has sent his condolences family of Inkosi Mncube, the Traditional Council, and to his fellow Amakhosi in uMzinyathi Local House of Traditional leaders, where Inkosi served as a committed member, working in the interest of his community.

In honour of women during Women’s Month, KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka, together with the Mayors of uMgungundlovu Cllr Maphumulo, King Cetshwayo Cllr Mkhulisi and Ray Nkonyeni municipality Cllr Mqwebu, will convene a Women in Local Government virtual dialogue.

The dialogue, to be attended by female councillors and senior municipal officials, is an opportunity to discuss some of the pertinent challenges faced by women in the sphere of local government.

The line-up of speakers includes the Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality T Mathebula, Dr I. Malatjie from the National School of Government and Dr N Mkhize who is the Director-General of the Province of KZN.

The speakers will share their insights on a wide range of topics, which include:

• The role of the Gender Commission in realising women’s rights for an equal future
• Importance of gender equity in all three spheres of government, or
• The capacitation of women through the National School of Government

The discussions will take place on Tuesday, 25 August at 14h00.

To participate in the discussions, you can register on Zoom, using the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cb7o_IebROOm5lyOQgmBIQ

You can also follow the discussions on YouTube using this link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3JIVuHG2YvNCtuI8UWgULA?view_as=subscriber

Or you can follow it on Facebook using this link: www.facebook.com/kzncogta

For more information, contact: Ms Nonala Ndlovu, 066 282 6903 (Head of Communications); or Senzelwe Mzila (Media Liaison Officer), 082 474 1882

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has sent condolences to the Mpanza family in Osizweni in the Newcastle local municipality where a house fire this morning ravaged the premises and caused the death of a four-year-old child.

Hlomuka has sent his condolences to the affected family and deployed disaster management teams to support the family and to investigate the cause of the fire.

He has also urged residents across KZN to continue to be vigilant and not leave appliances, such as heaters, unattended, especially with children present.

“We are heartbroken as a result of this incident where we lost a very young child. Just last month our teams responded to a similar incident in Ladysmith where we lost three children and their grandmother as a result of a fire. As a department, we will be coordinating with the municipality to ensure that adequate support is provided to the affected family during this difficult time,” said Hlomuka.

Residents in northern KZN have been urged to take great caution by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka, following a warning issued by the South African Weather Service which warned of the possible risk of the spread of veld fires in these areas.

MEC Hlomuka has placed disaster management teams on alert in the likelihood of any incidences taking place. “We are appealing to our communities to take great caution as veld fires pose a serious risk to human life. This weekend our teams responded to an incident in Nkandla where 20 houses were destroyed by runaway fires. We are therefore appealing to all residents to take the necessary precautions which include not making fires in open areas. We are also appealing to smokers to dispose of cigarette stumps appropriately” said Hlomuka.

Strong winds damage houses in near Greytown

Disaster Management teams in the uMvoti Local Municipality last night responded to an incident where 108 houses were damaged by heavy winds in the areas of Mbilwana, Zihlokweni, Manyonyo and Domrey in Wards 1, 2 and 3. In this incident, one person was injured and has received medical attention. Disaster teams are continuing to provide support to the 353 people affected by this incident.

Cold weather conditions for parts of KZN

MEC Hlomuka has also noted the cold weather conditions across large parts of the province and has appealed to residents to remain vigilant in their efforts to keep warm. “We are appealing to residents that utilise generators and braziers to utilise them in a manner that is safe and poses no risk to human life,” said Hlomuka.

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has deployed disaster management teams to the uMngeni Local Municipality where 300 shacks in Ward 3 are believed to have been destroyed when a fire ripped through in the early hours of this morning.

While details are still not clear, it is believed that a fire broke out at 2 AM this morning in the Mthulweni informal settlement, which quickly spread and engulfed many other shacks.

Firefighting teams have been on the scene since the early hours of the morning to bring the blaze under control. One fatality has been reported in this incident and assessment of the extent of the damage are ongoing.

Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.

The department of Cogta will be coordinating the provision of interim relief to the victims of the fire through working together with the uMgungundlovu and uMngeni Municipalities.

Houses destroyed in Nkandla veld fires, resident urged to be vigilant

In another separate incident that took place yesterday, an estimated 20 houses were destroyed when a veld fire broke out in wards 6 and 11 in the Nkandla Local Municipality.

In this incident, no injuries or loss of life was reported. MEC Hlomuka has dispatched disaster management teams to the affected areas to provide interim relief to the affected families.

MEC Hlomuka has also deployed Community Development Workers who are working together with disaster management teams in assessing the extent of the damage.

Cogta MEC has urged residents across the province to continue to be vigilant to the dangers posed by runaway veld fires. He has appealed for residents to behave responsibly by not creating unnecessary fires. “It is important that we all play our part in preventing veld fires. The current conditions across large parts of our province make it rife for veld fires to get out of hand easily. We do not wish to see such incidence take place within our communities hence we are calling on all our residents to be responsible. Those that smoke are urged to dispose of their cigarette stumps responsibly” said Hlomuka.

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KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has learned with shock and sadness of the passing of Cllr Sibusiso Joseph Mchunu who served as the Mayor of the Richmond local municipality having been sworn into office in 2016.

Hlomuka has expressed his condolences to the Mchunu family, residents of Richmond, to whom Cllr Mchunu dedicated his life serving. Hlomuka has also thanked the grieving family for the sacrifices they had to make in order for their husband and father to be able to fulfil his call in serving his community.

“Cllr Mchunu has been a dedicated and loyal servant to the people of Richmond. His life was dedicated to the single task of uplifting the material conditions of residents through the delivery of tangible services. As the sphere of local government, we have lost a foot soldier in our efforts to improve the lives of our communities. His legacy is one of dedication to his community,” said Hlomuka.

Mchunu’s passing comes at a time when the sphere of local government in the province remains at the forefront of the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus which has wreaked havoc in many countries across the world.

Hlomuka has also sent his condolences to the political party Cllr Mchunu belonged to – the African National Congress.

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the appointment of an 11-member Interim Board at Umgeni Water by the national Minister of Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu. The interim Board began its tenure on 1 August and will last until the appointment of a Permanent Board.

“As KZN Cogta, we are committed to working with the Interim Board for the shared goal of bringing water to a large number of communities in the province. Water is an indispensable resource and, as our solid track record demonstrates, we take its delivery to communities across this province with the seriousness it deserves,” said Hlomuka.

The appointment of the Interim Board at Umgeni Water follows a decision by the national minister to terminate the term of the previous Board due to discovery of non-compliance with national cabinet approved protocol pertaining to appointment of Board members of a state-owned entity.

“The Interim Board comprises capable men and women from diverse backgrounds whose primary role is to manage the organisation with efficiency and effectiveness and to ensure that the principles of good governance principles are honoured at all times. We have full confidence in the minister’s choice of board members and the Chairperson Mr Magasela Mzobe” said Hlomuka.

Male Mayors in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal have committed themselves to playing a meaningful role in ending gender-based violence within their communities. This follows a social dialogue meeting, which was convened by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka where he engaged with mayors on the role the sphere of local government can play in ending gender-based violence.

The session which hosted on Friday, 31 July and streamed on social media saw the Mayors of the Mkhanyakude District Cllr Mkhombo, The uMzinyathi District Cllr Ngubane and the Greater Kokstad Municipality Mayor Cllr Mtolo take part in the discussion which centred on the proactive steps that can be taken by all local government stakeholders to bring an end to the abuse of the rights of women and children.

The discussion which wasa moderated by Mr T Mdadane highlighted the positive contributions that can be made by Councillors in their respective communities through being positive role models in their own private lives. “As the sphere of local government we are at the coal face of service delivery and naturally any issues that affect our communities require us to as with speed in addressing them” added MEC Hlomuka in opening the dialogue.

The respective Mayors shared their insights on the possible solutions that can be looked as a way to end the abuse of the rights of women and children. Mayor Mtolo spoke about his experience in Greater Kokstad, where young men undergo the process of uLwaluko where they are taught and guided by elders on what is expected of them in their journey into manhood. Mtolo highlighted how such practices have a positive impact in ensuring that young men are aware of what is expected of them from a very young age.

The Mayor of uMzinyathi, emphasised the important role played by governance and public participation structures such as Ward Committees in ensuring that the message of protecting the rights of women and children is understood by communities.

Mayor Mkhombo highlighted the imbalances that were inherited by the democratic government and the steps that have been taken by to address these imbalances more especially when it comes to gender parity. “The fight for the rights of women and children is one that is critical to the democratic dispensation. It defines what kind of a society we aspire to be. As a sphere of government, we have an important role to play in ensuring that the constitution of the country is upheld in every area that is under our purview as leaders” added Mkhombo.

The resolutions that were taken in this dialogue were:

• The integration of social support systems in the workplace more especially for mother with babies
• The continuous rollout of the Social Dialogue digital programme as a means for Mayors and Councillors to engage directly with their constituency on GBV

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