Blog

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The rollout of social relief to communities affected by the severe thunderstorms that hit surrounding communities within the King Cetshwayo District has commenced in earnest. 

 
Today we visited the community of Mabhunyeni in Ward 7 under Mfolozi Local Municipality and Ngwelezane under the uMhlathuze local municipality, where disaster management teams are still busy with assessments of the extent of the damage suffered by this community as a result of thunder storms that left a trail of destruction in surrounding areas. 

 
During our visit, we were accompanied by senior officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, which is responsible for the coordination of disaster relief and support in the province. 

 
Part of the interim relief that the government has provided to the affected families includes food vouchers, which are being distributed to the families. 

 
Strategic stakeholders such as the Department of Human Settlements have been engaged and will assist with the rollout of Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) to the families whose houses were completely damaged by the storm. 

 
Assessments so far indicate that 126 houses were totally destroyed and 489 partially damaged. 

One person lost their life, and two others were injured.

 
We continue to appeal to our communities to ensure that they follow building codes when constructing their homes. 

 
Residents are also urged to take heed of weather warnings as and when they are issued. 

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

 
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The Pietermaritzburg High Court’s decision to halt todays sitting of the Alfred Duma Local Municipality council is noted by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

The Department still maintains that it is in the best interest of the municipality and its citizens for the council meeting to be convened. It is also disturbing that the Department was not given sufficient time to prepare for the Court proceedings yesterday, as the papers were only received a few hours before.

The Municipal Structures Act and the Standing Rules of Council give the MEC the authority to call for a special council meeting when the municipality’s internal processes have failed. The Department heavily relied on both when it decided to call for this special council.

Of particular concern to the Department is the date set by the Court for the hearing of the case, which practically leaves the council in limbo for a good month. This means a prolonged period of disruption on decision making and subsequently service delivery to the people of this municipality.

While the Department respects the rule of law, it also intends to use the legal instruments available to it to challenge this judgement.

Issued by Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

 

• THE LONG WAIT FOR THE BACK-PAY OF IZINDUNA SALARIES IS OVER
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  This week, we delivered the much-welcomed news concerning the back pay of salaries for Izinduna, which were due in 2013–2016, during a meeting that we had with the KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (PHTKL) on Wednesday, March 23. 

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  In the meeting, which included the Chairperson of the House, Inkosi R.S. Shinga, and the Deputy Chairperson, Inkosi N.S.W. Sithole, we highlighted the Provincial Government’s commitment and the steps that it took to ensure that salaries, which were not paid due to the unavailability of funds, were finally paid.

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  The issue of the backpay was an albatross around the neck of the provincial government, as it did not have the funds to settle the amount, which was derived from a mandate that came from the national government when the salaries of izinduna were gazetted.

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  Extensive engagements were conducted by the department together with the Office of the Premier with the National Departments of Cogta and Finance with the aim of securing the funding that is needed to pay for the backpay that is due to Izinduna.

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  These deliberations yielded positive results, with the national treasury issuing an allocation of R631 million for the 2023–24 financial year.

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  The allocation spells an end to the issue of back pay, which has been a constant frustration for the institution of traditional leadership in our province.

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  According to our plan, the payments will be made in two phases, with the first being the paying out of salaries to Izinduna who are still serving under Amakhosi and the second and last phase being the paying out of salaries to Izinduna who have retired, resigned, or passed on.

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  On the issue concerning the traditional council secretaries, discussions are at an advanced stage, which will pave the way for the department to make an announcement on the issue of their stipends.

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  As part of our consultations, we met with representatives of the traditional secretaries, where we engaged them on our plans and the steps we have taken to address the issue of their stipends, considering the important work that they do in our communities in the administration of traditional councils.

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  As a department, we are committed to uplifting the institution of traditional leadership within our province.

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  The discussion with the provincial house also touched on programmes aimed at amakhosi, such as the Imizi yeZizwe programme, through which the department builds residences used by amakhosi to conduct the affairs of their respective izizwe. Similarly, the department is committed to improving the Traditional Administration Centres (TACs) that belong to Amakhosi so as to ensure that communities use dignified facilities befitting Amakhosi’s stature.
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Contractors are set to commence with the Umshwathi Phase 5 Regional Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which will bring water to thousands of households within the Ndwedwe Local Municipality.

Today, we met with the benefiting communities at Bhamshela Ward 6, where we officially introduced the contractors that will undertake this important project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

The handover of the project site to contractors marks an important milestone in the provincial government’s efforts to improve access to water for rural communities.

As a provincial government, we believe that water is life and that residents’ right to safe drinking water must be upheld.

Through this project, 25000 people from 3210 households will receive piped water connections to their homes.

Through this project, the Ilembe District is improving access to safe, reliable, and sustainable potable water supply in rural communities.

The project serves both Ndwedwe and Maphumulo local municipalities, where yard taps will be connected.

The project is being implemented in three contracts with a budget of R225 million between 2022 and 2025. Umshwathi Contract 1 is valued at R68 million, Contract 2 at R90 million, and Contract 3 at R85 million, with about 120 job opportunities estimated.

The project starts at Nondabula in Ward 9 and goes all the way to KwaThayela in Ward 8. The total community that will be served from the overall project is approximately 25 680 people from 3 210 households in wards 2, 6, 7, 8, and (ward 9), which is already benefiting in the Ndwedwe as well as the neighboring Umshwathi Local Municipality.

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

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We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic assassination of Iso Lesilo of the KwaNobamba Traditional Council, Mr. Mbangiseni Gibson Mbuyisa, who was gunned down near his business in the Ezibomvu area last night. 

 
Mbuyisa served the traditional community of KwaNobamba with diligence on behalf of His Majesty, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini; he was also a member of the Zululand Local House of Traditional Lwaders.

 
As a department, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of yet another leader within the province’s institution of traditional leadership. 

 
 
These attacks threaten to destabilize the institution within our province, and we call upon law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their quest to apprehend the criminals responsible for these attacks. 

 
We wish to convey our condolences to the Mbuyisa family and to His Majesty the King, who has lost yet another diligent steward within a very short space of time. 

 
We call upon the community to work closely with law enforcement in the hunt for the perpetrators.

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

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department dispatched senior officials on Friday, 10 March to officially communicate the decision of the Provincial Executive Council to recognise Ntokozo Mkhwanazi as Inkosi of the Mpunkunyoni Traditional Council in line with the decision of the royal family. 

 
The visit that took place in Mtubatuba saw the senior officials, formally informing the family of the cabinet decision.

 
During this visit, the department’s senior officials faced resistance from certain members of Umndeni, who locked the original venue, which was supposed to be the Mpukunyoni Traditional Council which led to the venue for the meeting being changed to the KwaMsane Police Station in Mtubatuba.

 
The department is concerned about these strong elements of lawlessness that threatened and tried to disrupt the proceedings.

 
The official recognition of Inkosi should be a new chapter in the community, which has not had a permanent Inkosi since the passing of Inkosi Mzokhulayo Mkhwanazi in 2019. 

 
The department is committed to working together with Amakhosi and the whole institution of traditional leadership, to ensure that there is stability within communities and that various parts of government can deliver essential services to communities.

 
The department also wishes to condemn any elements that seek to disrupt traditional communities. 

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

On the 7 th of March 2023, the Old Legislature in Ulundi was brimming with colourful traditional attires and cultural performances, as part of the day’s celebrations on the opening of the KwaZulu-
Natal Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.

The opening of the house, which was presided over by His Majesty, the King of the Zulu nation, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, marked a significant moment in the province’s yearly calendar. The day also
signified the importance of this institution in promoting the interests of communities and preserving culture since traditional leaders are custodians of heritage and tradition.

Addressing the house, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said this day is quite significant as it marks the first time that King Misuzulu opens the provincial house, since his ascension to the
throne.

Premier Dube-Ncube said that the day shows how hard and dedicated amakhosi work for and with the people of the KwaZulu-Natal province. “As the provincial government we would like to commit ourselves to work with traditional leaders and trust that this relationship will be a stepping stone in ensuring development within our communities in KZN”, she said.

The Premier also noted the preventive measures that are currently in progress, in ensuring the safety of traditional leaders and holding accountable the perpetrators who are responsible for several murders that have taken place in the province.

“We have established the Community Safety Intervention which will deal with ensuring the safety of amakhosi in their respective communities, and this intervention will work closely with the police and other safety stakeholders”, said Dube-Ncube.

Delivering the keynote address and the official opening of the house, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini said the new culture of taking traditional issues and disputes to courts, affects and jeopardizes the image
of the royal household and traditional leadership at large. The King also expressed his concern over the lack of communication between his office as the royal household, and amakhosi.

“It is your responsibility as traditional leaders to approach me as your King, so that we can easily accelerate whatever internal issues we are faced with as traditional leaders”, said Misuzulu.

“I do wish to remind you about your roles and responsibilities as the pillar of the royal household, because nothing can happen or succeed within the royal household without your support”, he
added.

At the end of his address, Amakhosi also awarded iNdunankulu (Prince Buthelezi) a lifetime award for his commitment to working and supporting the work of traditional leadership, and this was
handed over by King Misuzulu.

Delivering the vote of thanks, COGTA MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi commended the provincial house for the solid partnership that it has with the provincial government in the pursuit of the common goal of
developing areas that are under amakhosi.

“The opening of the house today, by His Majesty the King, is an important chapter in ensuring that the institution of traditional leadership continues to be at the centre of development and the
protection of our customs and culture” said Sithole-Moloi.

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department notes the article published on news24 titled “KZN municipal manager fails to produce undergraduate qualifications.”

In the article, the qualifications of the Municipal Manager of the uMdoni Local Municipality, Ms. Thabisile Ndlela, are called into question by unnamed sources that the publication claims are from within the municipality.

The department wishes to point out that the process of appointing a municipal manager is regulated by the Local Government Municipal Systems Amendment Act 3 of 2022.

In Section 7(a) of the Act, municipalities are directed to submit all information pertaining to the appointment process and outcome of the recruitment process to the Cogta MEC.

The MEC is then tasked with assessing if the appointment process is in line with legislation.

In the case of the uMdoni Local Municipality, this process was followed thoroughly.

The information provided by the municipality was assessed, and it was found that the appointment of the municipal manager complied with the key recruitment and selection statutory provisions.

In terms of the regulations, the competency levels for municipal managers are:

* a bachelor’s degree or a relevant qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework at NQF level 7; and

* minimum of 5 years’ experience at senior management level.

According to the information provided to the department, Ms. Ndlela holds a B. Commerce degree (Honours), a B.Tech degree, and 7 years of experience in senior management positions in local government; she meets the academic and experience requirements for the position of municipal manager.

It is unfortunate that the publication chose to run a story that casts aspersions on a professional without any due consideration for the reputational damage that such an article could have on their career.

The department demands that News24 retracts this article within 7 days.

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

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The work being done by law enforcement agencies to combat the vandalising of public infrastructure by criminal syndicates continues to bear fruit with the latest breakthrough in Durban this week, where R5 million worth of copper was recovered by law enforcement agencies who arrested five suspects between the ages of 27 and 42 for possession of suspected stolen property.

We wish to commend law enforcement agencies for this major breakthrough which is a telling blow to criminal networks who vandalise and strip public infrastructure that provides water, electricity, sanitation and tele-communications.

Municipalities across the province have borne the brunt of these criminal networks who render key infrastructure in-operable.

We continue to plead with our communities to work closely with law enforcement agencies and for them to report criminal networks that damage and steal public infrastructure.

issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Ms. Bongi Sithole Moloi,

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The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Bongi Sithole Moloi, led mop-up operations in Newcastle, under the Amajuba District, where two people and an infant lost their lives during the floods that struck parts of the district.

In Danhausser Municipality, two people, Nokubonga Mchunu, 22, and Thulani Mabaso, 52, lost their lives when they were swept away while trying to cross a large body of water. In Newcastle Ward 25, an infant died when the house it was in was flooded.

During her visit to the district, MEC Sithole-Moloi visited the bereaved families to provide interim relief. 

The MEC, together with the political leadership of the Amajuba District and senior officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, conducted an inspection of the flood damaged areas in the Newcastle CBD, which had large parts flooded during the heavy rains.

In the Mkhanyakude District, two people are still missing after they were swept away trying to cross a flooded river in Ngwavuma.

We continue to appeal to residents to exercise the utmost caution as the inclement weather conditions could continue.

Working with social partners, the Provincial Disaster Management Center is working closely with all municipalities to make sure assessments are done and the right steps are taken to help affected communities.

issued by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Ms. Bongi Sithole Moloi,

 
 
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