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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Statement
June 29, 2023

KWAZULU-NATAL COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS PROVIDES UPDATES ON DISASTER RESPONSE

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) would like to provide an update on the ongoing disaster response and intervention efforts following the heavy rainfall and strong winds that caused devastating floods in the Ugu District and eThekwini Metro areas.

According to the latest reports from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the number of confirmed fatalities has tragically risen to seven. In Durban, the deaths were recorded as follows: two in Cato Manor, one in Durban North, one in Pinetown, and two bodies were recovered in Bayhead on Tuesday afternoon.

The number of fatalities remains at one in the Ugu District, specifically recorded in Port Shepstone. Furthermore, seven individuals are still reported as missing, and our dedicated search and rescue teams continue their efforts to locate and assist them.

KZN MEC for COGTA, Honorable Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, has extended her deepest condolences to all the affected families. MEC Sithole-Moloi emphasized that the government is fully committed to restoring the dignity of the victims and providing the necessary support to help them rebuild their lives. She expressed her regret that many families had to seek shelter in schools due to the damage to their homes. She encouraged all affected individuals to support one another during this challenging time as the government continues to implement various interventions.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all the families who have lost their loved ones due to this tragic event. We stand with you during this difficult time. We also commend the disaster response teams, non-governmental organizations, and all the individuals who have selflessly extended a helping hand in saving lives and providing much-needed support. Your commitment and dedication are truly appreciated,” she stated.

The department is working in close partnership with other sector departments and municipalities to address the immediate needs of the affected individuals, particularly those whose homes have been completely destroyed.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Honorable Nonhlanhla Khoza, was joined by eThekwini Municipality Councillor Zama Sokhabase and a team of dedicated social workers, who witnessed firsthand the distressing aftermath of the heavy rain and tornado. The severe weather conditions have had a profound impact on the lives of the affected families, leaving them in dire circumstances and in desperate need of immediate assistance.

During her visit, MEC Khoza distributed Social Relief of Distress (SRD) vouchers to the families currently housed in Shembe Memorial Primary School. These vouchers will enable the victims to procure essential items, including food, to meet their immediate needs.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, together with relevant stakeholders, is working tirelessly to ensure that all necessary resources and support are provided to the affected communities. We are committed to the long-term recovery and rehabilitation of the areas affected by this disaster.

Updates on the ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts will be provided regularly. We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the affected communities and helping them rebuild their lives.

Ends

Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Statement

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Pietermaritzburg – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has assessed the damages caused by heavy rains and strong winds that devastated parts of the province and compiled a preliminary report.

The Provincial Disaster Management Center (PDMC) swiftly responded to the unfortunate incidents, dispatching disaster teams to assess the extent of the destruction caused by the severe weather conditions in Durban Metro and Ugu District Municipality, in the South Coast.

The areas severely affected by the heavy rains and strong winds include Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, Pinetown and surrounding areas, Folweni, and the north of Durban.

In the Ugu District, the hardest-hit areas were Umzumbe, Umdoni, and Umuziwabantu.

The preliminary reports indicate extensive damage to road infrastructure, electricity, sewer systems, and housing. Many houses suffered roof damage, collapsed walls, and flooding.Regrettably, so far four people have been confirmed to have lost their lives.

Three casualties were reported in the eThekwini Metro, while one person remains missing. Additionally, one fatality and four injuries were reported in the Ugu District Municipality.

Houses in eThekwini Metro bore the brunt of the devastation, with approximately 70 houses completely destroyed and a further 110 houses partially damaged.

This has affected a total of 552 people, leaving 151 individuals homeless. In the Ugu District Municipality, one house was left completely destroyed while three others suffered partial damages affecting 29 people.

One person was left homeless.Schools have been significantly impacted by the adverse weather conditions.

The Pinetown District has reported damages to ten schools, and further assessments are underway in the affected districts to determine the full extent of the damage.The agricultural sector has also suffered losses, with four gardens in Inanda wards 51, 54, and 55 affected. Additionally, approximately 700 chicken broilers in Inanda were adversely affected.

The environmental impact of the heavy rains has resulted in pollution at Blue Lagoon Beach in Durban, caused by debris from the Umgeni River.

The Department, in partnership with eThekwini, is facilitating the cleaning of the beach, which may temporarily lead to its closure. No reports have been received thus far regarding the affected business sector.In response to the destruction, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, has provided immediate relief materials to the affected victims.

This includes over 300 food parcels, 2750 blankets, 5500 plastic sheetings, and 550 emergency boxes (Box B) as part of the winter contingency planning across all districts and the metro.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre maintains additional immediate relief materials to offer further support.Community-based structures, such as Ward Committees, Community Development Workers (CDWs), Traditional Leaders, and OSS War Rooms, have been activated and play a crucial role in disseminating weather forecast awareness messages through loud hailing to mitigate severe impacts. Mop-up campaigns are being coordinated with municipalities to clean the affected areas promptly.

To aid in the recovery efforts and restore normalcy, state institutions such as Eskom have been mobilized to assist in repairs. Eskom, along with the Municipal Electrical Department, has been activated to restore power to the affected areas.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development (DSD) have also been activated to work with municipal disaster management teams, expediting profiling and immediate relief efforts for the affected families. Social workers are on standby, ready to provide psycho-social support services, social welfare assistance, and child protection services. Provincial and municipal emergency services, including the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), South African Police Service (SAPS), Metro Police, and Search and Rescue teams, have been activated and are prepared to respond swiftly to any emergencies.

Other provincial line function departments, such as Human Settlements, Education, Health, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), and Transport, have also been activated and advised to implement their respective contingency plans to ensure immediate repair of damaged public infrastructure.

As the KwaZulu-Natal province, we are experiencing firsthand the true effects of climate change during the winter season.

Municipalities and sector departments are currently conducting assessments to determine the magnitude of the damages and identify necessary interventions.

The mobilization of additional volunteers through community-based structures is underway to reach all affected communities for damage assessments.

Ends

Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

The KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, mourns the tragic loss of Councillor JF Myaka and sends sincere condolences to his grieving family and friends.

Councillor Myaka, served as a Proportional Representative Councillor within the City of uMhlathuze Municipality and was a respected pastor. Regrettably, he was fatally shot in Nseleni Township, Richardsbay, on Tuesday afternoon while delivering a sermon in front of his congregation.

The recurrence of such a distressing incident within our local government is profoundly unfortunate. We implore the law enforcement agencies to promptly take decisive action to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice. These acts of violence not only claim innocent lives but also instigate instability within our local municipalities.

During this trying time, our heartfelt condolences go out to the Myaka family, friends and the entire council of uMhlathuze Municipality. Councillor Myaka, like all councillors, had a solemn duty to represent the interests of our people within the council. It deeply concerns our department when councillors fall victim to such tragic circumstances.

The loss of dedicated public servants is a blow to our democratic principles and impedes the progress we strive to achieve. Councillor Myaka’s untimely demise serves as a somber reminder that we must unite as a society against the senseless violence that threatens the very fabric of our communities.

We call upon citizens, community leaders, and law enforcement agencies to collaborate in establishing a safer environment for all, ensuring that those responsible for this reprehensible act are held accountable.

In memory of Councillor Myaka, let us recommit ourselves to upholding the values of peace, unity, and democracy within our communities. Together, we can create an environment where our public representatives can fulfill their duties without fear, and where citizens can actively participate in local governance for the betterment of all.

May the soul of Councillor JF Myaka find eternal rest, and may his family and loved ones find solace and strength in this time of immense grief.

Issued by MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi

Pietermaritzburg – The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal has once again been vindicated by the Pietermaritzburg High Court, confirming that our interventions in Nongoma Local Municipality were fully in line with the law.

In Wednesday ruling, the Pietermaritzburg High Court granted an order in favor of the MEC for KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, interdicting the former speaker of Nongoma Municipality, Cllr Bhekinkosi Zulu, from holding himself out as the speaker.

This order has officially recognized the newly elected Cllr B. H. Sithole as the legitimate speaker of the municipality. Furthermore, the court has declared the Notice of Council Meeting issued by the former speaker, Cllr Zulu, for 29 June 2023, to be unlawful and has set it aside. Consequently, the court has prohibited the scheduled Council Meeting from taking place. Additionally, the court has ordered the municipal manager and other officials to refrain from any actions that could interfere with the speaker’s duties.

We have consistently emphasised that our department’s role is to ensure municipalities operate within the bounds of the law. It is disheartening that certain political parties, particularly the IFP, persist in resorting to legal proceedings, which only serve to delay the delivery of essential services to our communities.

We sincerely hope that all councillors in Nongoma Municipality will now focus on the crucial task of delivering the much-needed services to our communities. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to performing our duties with utmost diligence and integrity. Above all, we will continue to operate in full compliance with legal regulations.

Ends

Issued by: MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in collaboration with the eThekwini Municipality, has taken swift action in response to the unfortunate incidents caused by inclement weather across the province on Tuesday afternoon.

Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds has caused significant damage in various parts of the province, with the Inanda Township in the North of Durban being the most severely affected area.

Preliminary reports indicate that several homes have been damaged, and some individuals have sustained injuries.

Public infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water have also suffered severe damage. The disaster management teams are currently conducting assessments on the ground throughout the night to determine the full extent of the impact. At this point, the department, in collaboration with eThekwini Metro, is unable to provide an exact number of those affected by this destructive weather in Inanda. However, the public can rest assured that our disaster management teams are actively on the ground, collecting all the necessary data.

In the south coast, a motor vehicle accident was reported in the Mbeni area under Ray Nkonyeni Municipality. The Disaster Management teams promptly responded and rescued four people, who were then transported to Port Shepstone Provincial Hospital. In Umzumbe Local Municipality, three incidents were reported in the Chabhabe area, Nyangweni area, and Dweshula area. The disaster teams are currently on the ground conducting assessments.

The Provincial government is working together with the municipalities especially eThekwini metro to provide immediate relief to affected families.

We would like to convey our heartfelt sympathies to the families whose homes have been damaged and wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured. As a caring government, we are committed to ensuring that all affected individuals have shelter over their heads during this challenging time. Our focus remains on providing immediate relief and assistance to the affected communities.

As the heavy rains persist in other parts of the province, we urge all communities to exercise extra caution due to the inclement weather conditions. It is crucial to closely monitor water levels and promptly relocate to safer areas if any potential danger is foreseen.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Inanda and the surrounding areas in order to restore normalcy and provide the necessary support.

A government delegation comprising of the Minister, Premier and MECs and Mayor will visit Inanda Township on Wednesday morning to provide reliefs.

ENDS

Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Port Shepstone – In an effort to strengthen the relationship between municipalities and ward committees and to render services to the community efficiently, we engaged with Community Development Workers (CDWs) from across municipalities in the province as part of our mandate to foster cooperative governance.

The engagement took place at KwaNdwalane Traditional Council, under Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, on Thursday, with a gathering of 370 CDWs.

The purpose was to discuss issues concerning their duties. CDWs serve as vital fieldworkers, acting as a crucial link between the government, stakeholders, and the communities they reside in and serve. They are based in municipalities and work alongside Ward Councillors to ensure that community-level interventions are coordinated, communicated, and integrated in a fair and balanced manner, taking into account the local socio-leadership dynamics.

Currently, KZN Cogta employs 377 CDWs across 34 municipalities, each contributing to the development and welfare of their respective communities. While we acknowledge that more work needs to be done as some wards remain without CDWs, this number is still significant and should enable us to tailor relevant interventions in communities.

We have plans to increase the number of CDWs, aiming to ensure that all wards have dedicated individuals. However, our progress is limited by the availability of resources. Increasing the number of foot-soldiers reflects our commitment to strengthening our engagement with communities and improving service delivery.

The government’s vision for CDWs is to ensure that local government structures such as War Rooms and Ward Committees are functional and address the needs of the community. CDWs are supposed to be visible to the communities and intervene to assist families, schools, and clinics which are used by communities on a daily basis.

Our engagements addressed challenges raised by the CDWs, such as tools of trade. We have attended to all these issues as the department; however, we would like to emphasize that CDWs are the representation of government. We expect them to be the interpreters of government programs and assist communities in accessing government services.

We encouraged them to execute their work diligently and with dedication, as this will fast-track service delivery, particularly on issues concerning families in distress, schools, and community projects.

We recognize the significance of this program and its vital role in bridging the gap between communities and government institutions. As we have entered the new financial year, we want to assure everyone that the role of CDWs remains paramount to the department.

They are the eyes, ears, and voices of our communities, enabling us to better understand their challenges and aspirations. As the department, we will continue to monitor their performance in ensuring that all government structures are functional and bring services to the people.

ENDS

Issued by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi.

Nongoma – The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) held a special meeting today with councillors from the Nongoma Local Municipality to address the recent judgment issued by the Pietermaritzburg High Court regarding the leadership dispute affecting the municipality.

Acting Judge Mathenjwa of the Pietermaritzburg High Court rendered a judgment on 15 June, dismissing an application by the Nongoma Municipality and relevant parties seeking to invalidate the election of office bearers during a special council sitting. We had convened this council meeting, in accordance with the powers granted to MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs under Section 29(1)(a) of the Municipal Structures Act.

During the special meeting, to which we had delegated the Head of Department, Mr Thando Tubane, on Thursday, we informed the councillors that the department had reinstated the Office Bearers elected at the Special Council Sitting, as mandated by the court’s judgment. We did this after the court discharged the interdict that had prevented the elected Office Bearers from assuming their duties.

Additionally, the members of Council were informed that the department had notified the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of the latest court ruling on the matter.

We would like to emphasise that the department has followed all due legal processes throughout the matter which is why we were not surprised by at the outcome.

We are always reluctant to resort to the courts to resolve matters because we believe that court processes are costly and time-consuming while many issues can be resolved amicably when due process is followed within the ambits of the law. However, when we are dragged to the courts, this leaves us without any choice but to defend our actions as we want to ensure that the rule of law prevails. It is sad that not all of our leaders particularly in municipalities subscribe to these principles.

We informed the Council members that the department had received court papers indicating that the Nongoma Municipality had been granted leave to appeal the recent ruling. However, we stressed that the appeal would have no bearing on the ruling made recently, and therefore, the newly reinstated leadership has to assume their responsibilities while the outcome of the appeal is pending. Our biggest obsession is delivery of services to the people of Nongoma without any further delay. We also urge all leaders to also remember the primary reason for them to be part of the council in the first place.

Moreover, this judgment serves as a reminder to all parties that court processes should not be exploited to bypass democratic procedures. The Department remains fully committed to working alongside all municipalities and fulfilling its mandate impartially. We encourage political parties to explore all available avenues to resolve their differences and avoid resorting to court processes to circumvent democratic procedures.

We believe in fostering a culture of tolerance, cooperation, and respect among all stakeholders. We therefore call upon the political parties within the Nongoma Local Municipality to put aside their differences and work collaboratively for the benefit of the community they serve.

ENDS

Issued by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi.

KwaDukuza – The initiative led by Ilembe District Municipality to engage with traditional leadership and Ward Councillors, with the aim of improving service delivery issues, has been commended for its efforts to deepen relations between these key parties for the betterment of rural communities.

Mayors, speakers, and councillors from municipalities under the Ilembe District angaged with amakhosi and other key stakeholders in Shaka’s Rock, on Thursday to expedite service delivery.

We applaud these ongoing engagements, which seek to deepen the relationship between these two crucial parties. As a department, we actively participated in this engagement, which included all five local municipalities and amakhosi from various tribal authorities. This was the second gathering under the Ilembe District that aimed to enhance the relationship between amakhosi and municipalities, thereby facilitating effective service delivery.

It is important to note that vital stakeholders, including Umgeni Water and Eskom, were also present and shared their plans for various areas within the Ilembe District. The district encompasses Maphumulo, iNdwedwe, Mandeni, and KwaDukuza, primarily consisting of rural communities where traditional leadership plays a significant role.

We are pleased to highlight the presence of key infrastructure sectors during the engagement, offering their assistance to councillors and amakhosi in addressing the challenges faced in providing services to their communities. We remain hopeful that such engagements will yield positive outcomes, particularly in rural communities under traditional leadership.

We strongly encourage councillors to collaborate closely with amakhosi during their community visits for service-related activities. Additionally, we want to encourage the cooperation between councillors and amakhosi, particularly on explaining their role and mandate of municipalities to amakhosi, fostering a mutual understanding of each other’s responsibilities.

We commended the municipality for providing a platform for these discussions and called for cooperation between all involved parties. We would like to encourages all municipalities to ensure that amakhosi are well-informed about the services they offer.

Furthermore, we also urge amakhosi to support the municipality in matters related to human settlement by guiding communities to build in areas suitable for residential use, thereby reducing the risk of natural disasters.

Such engagements enable councillors and amakhosi to express their concerns before the Mayors and Speakers of the various municipalities. We anticipate that future engagements will be even more effective in bringing about tangible changes. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is fully committed to supporting programs that aim to strengthen relationships for the betterment of our communities. Cooperative governance will assist in bringing all other sectors together to support the municipalities and amakhosi.

ENDS

Issued by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi.

Greytown – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) intervened in the Umvoti Local Municipality to convene a special council meeting, leading to the election of new leadership today, Wednesday the 21 June 2023, after several disputes had hindered progress.

The intervention was carried out in accordance with section 29(1A) of the Municipal Structures, which empowers MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to intervene when a municipality fails to fulfill its mandate. We entrusted Mr Thando Tubane, the Head of Department, with overseeing the council meeting process, following a request by a majority of council members. The request came to the MEC after the request by the majority of councilors was not acceded to by the Speaker and municipal manager.

Despite an attempt to interdict the council meeting in the high court, the motion was dismissed, allowing the council meeting to proceed. Consequently, a motion of no confidence was raised against former Mayor Cllr Gabriel Malembe, leading to his removal by the majority of councilors.

This paved the way for Cllr Philani Mavundla to be elected as the new Mayor, with Cllr Ntombi Ngubane being elected as the Deputy Mayor. Former Deputy Mayor Cllr Mfundo Masondo assumed the role of Speaker, while Cllr Zwakushiwo Ndlovu was appointed as the Whip of Council.

We welcome the successful election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Speaker of the municipality and encourage them to diligently serve the community. The department’s mandate is to ensure good governance in the sphere of local government to create a conducive environment service delivery to continue unhindered.

Our actions are always guided by the relevant legal prescripts governing the sphere of local government. We do this without fear or favour, because our greatest obsession is to create an environment where the people of our province will receive the level of service that they deserve.

We embrace the will of the majority in Umvoti and sincerely hope that the new leadership will work tirelessly towards achieving goals that positively impact the lives of the people within this municipality. As a department, we are committed to assisting in ensuring that all our municipalities function optimally, with legitimate leaders elected through legitimate council processes, in compliance with the law.

We extend best wishes to the new leadership of Umvoti Local Municipality and assure them of the department’s unwavering support throughout their journey. We would like to the municipality bring about positive change and uplift the lives of the residents within the municipality.

We are unwavering in our commitment to uphold the principles of good governance and fostering effective leadership in all municipalities. The department will continue to prioritize the provision of quality services and the overall well-being of the citizens of our beloved province.

ENDS

Issued by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi

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Ladysmith – On Tuesday, 20th June 2023 we met with the Members of the Executive Committee (Exco) and Senior Officials from uThukela District Municipality to discuss issues related to the functioning of the municipality.

This meeting is in keeping with the commitments we made when we were given the responsibility of being the Executive Authority for the Department. We have been unambiguous about our desire and commitment to support municipalities that are under intervention to the point that they are graduated out of intervention. Our main objective is to see service delivery to our people and we will work every day to ensure that this is realised.

After receiving a concerning letter from the municipality which stated that the municipality rejects the Municipal Representative (MR) that has been deployed to the municipality, it became apparent that there are urgent matters that need to be addressed. It is for this reason that we convened the meeting so that we could give the municipality an opportunity to outline their challenges where after we would work together to find a way forward. What was also important was for us to understand the plans put in place by the municipality to ensure that the municipality becomes stable and is able to run its own affairs so that it moves out of intervention going forward.

What remains key for us as a department is to ensure that all municipalities conduct their business in accordance with the applicable legal prescripts. This was also made clear to all who attended the meeting.

We can confirm that there are a number of challenges that the municipality is facing which hinder its ability to provide services to the community. During the meeting we reaffirmed our commitment to work with the municipality to resolve these challenges in the most amicable manner and within the confines of the law.

This is the approach that the department is employing to assist all municipalities, particularly those that are under intervention. As mandated by the constitution, the department’s role is to offer support and capacity-building to municipalities in accordance with the law.

What is encouraging is that all Exco members led by His Worship the Mayor, Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala, indicated that they are in support of the intervention and appreciate the guidance, but also raised concerns they have with the MR. However, despite the challenges encountered with MR we have taken the initiative to clarify the MR’s role and assure the management that he remains an integral part of the municipality. While we acknowledge the issues raised by the Exco, it is important to note that the municipality neither has the right nor the authority to choose the MR.

Therefore, we appeal to all parties involved to cooperate in the best interest of the community and prioritize efficient service delivery. Nonetheless, we are committed to addressing the concerns raised by the Exco and recognize the urgent need for cooperation. Rest assured, we will thoroughly look into the matters brought to our attention.

We believe that the meeting was a fruitful one paving the way for future amicable engagements that will see us all pulling together to better the lives of our communities. We do hope that the same spirit will prevail across all municipalities especially those under intervention. It is only through collaboration that we can be able to better the lives of our people.

We will continue to support our municipalities by engaging in constructive dialogue with municipal executives and addressing their concerns, the department aims to facilitate effective service delivery and uplift the lives of the residents within the Uthukela District and beyond.

ENDS

Issued by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi.