9 MAY 2020

The outbreak of Coronavirus dictates that the efforts and work of all of us including the Executive is directed towards curbing the spread of the virus. We, at the Legislature understand that this mammoth task of containing the spread of the pandemic requires our collective efforts working with the Executive, to ensure that all the COVID-19 regulations and protocols that have been promulgated and all other executive decisions and actions taken are implemented fully, efficiently and effectively within available recourses. 

Even during this time of COVID-19, the Legislature remains compelled to consider the most appropriate mechanisms and modalities for ensuring that as a separate arm of the state, the Legislature exercises its constitutional responsibility of oversight, law-making and public involvement. 

Workers’ Parliament

Over the past three weeks, the leadership of the legislature has been seized with critical consultations with the federations regarding the annual Workers’ Parliament. We would like to announce that it is all systems go for the 2020 Workers’ Parliament. The Legislature, through sector parliaments, involves various sectors of society in matters of governance in the province. Workers’ Parliament is one of the sector parliaments initiated by the Legislature to give workers a platform to discuss and debate issues that affect them. We are excited about the fact that all our stakeholders are now fully on board and we are ready to officially host the 2020 Workers’ Parliament

This is an annual event, and traditionally over the years, has been a two-day programme that commences with the commissions discussing various topics and culminates in the Premier’s address. Due to the current situation wherein, the country is in a state of disaster and all sections of society are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, calls for radical alteration and adjustment to the normal way of functioning. The programme has been crafted to allow the sitting to be no longer than 3 hours.

Theme

With the month of May being the Workers’ Month, the KZN Legislature will host its annual Workers Parliament on the 12^th of May 2020 on a Virtual Platform where workers from the three major federations in the province will participate in discussions, discussing matters that affect workers. Delegates from Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu will deliberate on this year’s theme “Economic Shocks of COVID-19, Its Far-Reaching Impact on the Labour Market: Workers Feeling the Pinch”

The thinking behind this theme:

COVID-19 came as a health crisis which gradually developed into an economic and labour market crisis. We seek to hear from the presenters the list of economic shocks presented by the pandemic, what impact on the labour market. Planning team also spoke about challenges facing the UIF, and undoubtedly such challenges impact negatively on the workers, that’s why we are putting forward the statement “Workers feeling the pinch”, job losses retrenchments, and grave risk of absence of social security caused by devastating health and economic crisis, these combined make workers feel the pinch.    

Platform and how many people will participate

The proceedings will run virtually through a tool called Microsoft Teams which will allow all 20 presenters and delegates to be added as participants. 

Presenters and topics

Background and Purpose of the Workers’ Parliament, and the role of the Legislature in holding government accountable on promises made regarding COVID-19 -Hon. NN Boyce Speaker: KZN Legislature

A presentation on Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF): How it is done and how many companies have applied for COVID-19 relief benefits on behalf of their workers for this relief fund will be done by Ms Gugu Khomo from Department of Labour

Job losses and retrenchments because of the current economic climate: what is government’s plan for job creation, this presentation will be done by Sihle Mkhize from Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs

There after we will have the Premier’s Address on Responses to 2018 Resolutions, implementation thereof, and on government mechanisms to deal with the pandemic and address job losses

Participants and Observers

The sitting will have 20 participants which include 10 delegates from all 3 federations; Cosatu 5 delegates, Fedusa with 3 delegates, NACTU with 2 delegates. A number of observers have also been invited, these include the MPLs, MECs, Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the other 8 Legislatures, Workers in KZN apart from the federation delegation and the Media.

 

 

Communication Channels

As you are aware that public participation is critical in the business of the Legislature, we have created a number of platforms to ensure that the sitting reaches a wide audience even under such challenging times. Workers and the public at large will be able to access the proceedings through the following channels.

WhatsApp Number: 060 503 2194

Email Address: 2020WorkersParliament@kznleg.gov.za

Website: www.kznlegislature.gov.za

Twitter: @KznLegislature  #KZNWorkersParliament2020Live

Facebook: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, KZN Legislature Speaker and KZN Legislature Deputy Speaker

Instagram: kzn.legislature

YouTube: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature

These can be used to view the proceedings and also get updates on the proceedings.

What is the Legislature doing for the workers during this difficult time?                 

The Legislature, as part of the Speaker’s social responsibility programme is engaging federations on interventions to be made for workers during this time where some have had to endure Salary cuts, Job losses and the lack of Personal Protective Equipment. More details will be shared in the coming weeks as the programme gets finalised.

The work of the Legislature during Lockdown

In these circumstances, it becomes even more critical for the Legislature to exercise oversight and hold relevant departments accountable for actions taken to stop the spread of the virus. To this end, the Legislature is informed formally by the Executive of actions to be taken at various stages, and its Committees oversee those actions.

The work of the Legislature continues even under these challenging times, management provided guidelines on the critical roles that staff must perform during the lockdown period to ensure that the Legislature is able to perform its oversight, law making and public involvement responsibilities.

Just to take you through briefly on what has been happening in the Legislature during Lockdown, the following meetings took place on the week of the 13 April 2020 to give direction to the business of the Legislature

a) Meeting with Leaders of political parties

This meeting was held on the 15th April 2020 for the Premier to present a report to the Speakership and Party Leaders in the Legislature on the Executive Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and for the Speaker to share the Legislature’s plan to perform its oversight function, law-making and public involvement responsibility in the context of the lockdown. 

b) Programme Committee

The Programme Committee met on 16th April 2020 to consider and adopt the revised calendar. The adopted calendar is hereby attached as Annexure C and covers activities until June 2020.

The calendar reflecting the period between July to December will be developed in consultation with the Presiding Officers having due regard to the fluidity of the Covid-19 environment.

c) Chairpersons Committee

The Legislature drafted guidelines on how its Committees should perform their oversight function in the context of Covid-19 pandemic. These were adopted by the Chairperson’s Committee on the 16th April 2020.

These guidelines are aimed at assisting the Legislature to undertake oversight specifically on the Government Programmes to contain the spread of the virus.  They are aimed at ensuring that the Legislature is able to undertake its Constitutional Mandate with members playing an active role albeit in a safe environment that will not expose them to risks of contracting the virus.

d) Whips Forum

A Whips Forum meeting took place on the 17th April 2020. This session was to sensitize the Committee on the changes in respect of the Calendar and how the Legislature is responding to Covid-19 pandemic.  The Whips Forum will then consider the Sitting programme in the light of the calendar that was passed by Programming Committee.

e) Rules Committee

The Rules Committee met on the 17th April 2020 to consider a new chapter in the Rules to cater for virtual meetings of the Legislature Committees and House Sittings.   This was pre-empted by the Speaker sharing her proposed Ruling in terms of Rule 2 that caters for eventualities that the Rules do not provide for.

 

Having considered all the above, the Legislature adopted an approach underpinned by the following:

a) Deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions,

b) Training of Members and Staff on the use of Microsoft Teams;

c) Review of the annual calendar of the institution to respond to Covid-19 pandemic;

d) Reactivation of all Committees to conduct their business through virtual means;

e) Options for Sittings that include Virtual Sittings, cluster approach for physical Budget Sittings or normal budget and other Sittings with increased distancing. The relevant option will be chosen depending on the circumstances that prevail at the time;

f) Development of Oversight guidelines on Covid-19 for all Committees;

g) Development of a Covid-19 Communication Strategy;

h) Review of the Standing Rules of the Legislature to accommodate virtual sittings and meetings;

i) Review of data allocation for members and staff for virtual meetings; and

j) Provision of safe environment for the Legislative work as and when Members, staff and stakeholders attend at the Legislature Buildings.

The above interventions have enabled the Legislature to conduct all political management committee meetings by virtual means, including the budget hearings, save for Portfolio Committee on Conservation and Environmental Affairs which will meet on Tuesday 28th April 2020.  The knowledge gathered thus far does indicate that the Legislature is able to conduct most of its activities through virtual means and this augurs well for the delivery of e-legislature, this being a strategic objective for the sixth political term.

On 23rd April 2020, the President unveiled a Risk Adjusted Strategy in respect of Covid-19 and informed of the level 4 stage which would commence on the 1st May 2020. 

It is therefore important to stress that during the initial lockdown period, and at level 4 of the risk-adjusted strategy which commenced on the 1st May 2020, Legislatures and Parliament are regarded as essential services.  Staff were informed that they remain available for business remotely and physically as and when called on.  A policy on Covid-19 was passed to ensure that Staff and Members subscribe to the testing of temperatures and sanitization requirement of the legislature.  Management was responsible for drawing workplans and ensuring staff that were working remotely were reporting and providing proof of service, where applicable.

The Legislature has considered business units that could continue to operate remotely with no negative impact on the work of the Legislature. Equally, the Legislature has also considered the option of allowing 1/3 of the legislature employees to physically return to work, however this option will only be utilized as a last recourse where working remotely is not possible or feasible.

 Lastly, there are business units whose core function have been negatively affected by the restriction and are thus unable to perform their normal functions either remotely or within the office environment.   The legislature has identified some business units whose functions cannot be executed at all under a restrictive period of risk adjusted strategy. Going forward, the legislature will review its business process to arrive at a permanent solution in this regard. This may include re-training and placement in other business units.  In addition, the HR division is investigating support platforms to assist Members and Staff in adapting and coping with the new work environment, time management and soft skills that contribute to productivity.

Upcoming sittings

We will continue sharing the weekly schedule of the legislature with you.

 

Thank you.

 

ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER

Enquiries

Nomusa Phungula – 071 851 0085/ 072 294 7237

07 May 2020

Embargo: For Immediate Release

Attention: News/Assignment Editors, Political Reporters, Reporters

From: KZN Legislature Communications Unit

RE: KZN PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS COMMENDS DEPARTMENT FOR ITS COVID-19 INTERVENTION

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements this morning held its scheduled meeting with the department and the MEC for Human Settlements to receive and consider the department’s COVID-19 report.

The department was led by MEC Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni and the Head of Department Mr Mduduzi Zungu. Other stakeholders such as the South African National Civics Organisation and the “shack-dwellers” movement – Abahlali base Mjondolo were also in attendance.

Nkonyeni and Zungu reported on the department’s COVID-19 interventions which included the following:

· Mass sanitization/disinfection of informal settlements, transit camps and hostels

· Public Hygiene interventions including supplying sanitizers to households and bar soaps etc

· Public health awareness campaigns

· Installation of static water tanks to communities such informal settlements

· Extended informal settlement upgrading programme and anti-land invasion campaigns

The department’s report was well received by members of the portfolio committee with most of them commending the department for its swift interventions.

Portfolio Committee Chairperson Honourable Linda Hlongwa-Madlala thanked the department and the MEC for prioritising the marginalised sectors of our society such as informal settlements and hostels.

Hlongwa-Madlala also emphasised that the department needed to develop a post COVID-19 plan.

“The department also needs to plan beyond COVID-19 and present us with its plan on the reprioritised budget, at the face of the COVID-19.,” said Hlongwa-Madlala.

Nkonyeni also added that the department has also received a request to include Old Age Homes in its sanitization programme.

Ends

Issued by Human Settlements Portfolio Committee Chairperson Hon Linda Hlongwa-Madlala. Contact her on 0782923687

Or

Wonder Hlongwa 0829083532

WORKERS’ DAY MESSAGE FROM SPEAKER NONTEMBEKO BOYCE: “LET US ALL HONOUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES WHO ARE DILIGENTLY TRYING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19”

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker, Ms Nontembeko Boyce has joined leaders around the world in honoring the role played by essential workers in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus as the world celebrates the Workers’ Day.

In her message on the Workers’ Day, the Speaker said essential workers such as healthcare workers, farm workers, truck drivers, law enforcement agencies and grocery shops workers risked their lives as they tried to prevent the spread of the pandemic and keep South Africans going during the lockdown.

“Today workers around the world commemorate international workers despite challenges imposed by the pandemic. Workers are facing a lot of challenges including uncertainty of their future because of the impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on the economy however we are confident that government will reignite the economy after this difficult time address the economic recovery of South Africa post Covid-19. We must appreciate the role played by essential workers as the world tries to defeat the deadly virus. Some workers have lost their lives while others have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. We therefore commend all those who continue to lend a helping hand to workers through donating various protective equipment. Government’s social and economic support package to mitigate the impact of the pandemic is also highly commendable,” Said Boyce.

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature is working tirelessly close with labour federations to ensure that the interest of workers are championed. Discussion around Workers parliament that was meant to sit on the 7-8 May within Umgungundlovu District are still underway taking into consideration the restrictions and regulations of the lockdown, there are number of proposals including having a virtual parliament.

“We have finalized our comprehensive workers’ month programme which will see our institution working closely with labour federations to respond decisively to challenges faced by the workers. The programme will be finalized and communicated to the public early next week. With the country observing national lockdown due to the serious pandemic of Coronavirus/COVID19,now that we have moved from level 5 to level 4 , the legislature is fully aware that this year workers day will not be like any other before, there will be no traditional May Day rallies and will be celebrated differently,” added Boyce.

The KwaZulu Natal Legislature salutes the workers of KwaZulu Natal especially the frontline workers who are confronting the deadly virus on daily basis, this holiday is a testimony to the hard battles that workers have waged for workers’ rights and social justice over many decades however many challenges still confront workers.

ISSUED BY THE SPEAKER’S OFFICE
For enquiries:
Nomusa Phungula
0718510085 / 0722947237

MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATTENTION: REPORTERS, NEWS AND ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
DATE: 28 APRIL 2020
COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE RECEIVES A REPORT ON THE PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT’S INTERVENTION MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE PROVINCE

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA)
of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, today the 28 April 2020, held a virtual meeting with
the provincial COGTA Department wherein it received a comprehensive report on a
number of interventions being made by the department to curb the spread of
Coronavirus in the province through its Disaster Management Centre.

The meeting was informed of the current situation in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the
spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ethekwini Metro is the epicentre of COVID-19 in
the province and has recorded the highest number of confirmed cases currently
standing at 383, followed by uMgungundlovu at 46, and ILembe at 26.

In terms of the plans to combat the spread of the pandemic, a Provincial COVID-19
Response Plan is in place to guide the implementation of interventions by various
departments and municipalities and other stakeholders. The plan is informed by risks
assessments which identify hotspot areas and vulnerabilities at municipal level.

The department is also providing water in the form of static tanks and mobile water
tanks to communities to improve hygiene which is central in the containing the
spread of the pandemic.
There is a sanitization programme that is being rolled out in public amenities across
the province, which also targets informal settlements. The department is involved in
the distribution of food parcels to vulnerable communities through municipalities.

The committee was also informed that the national government has not made funding
available to the province to combat the spread of COVID-19. COGTA is finding it
extremely difficult to get support from the national department of COGTA. The
department has submitted disaster management plans, but has not yet received a
response. None of the KZN municipalities have been granted relief funding to deal
with the COVID-19 crisis. They are using their budgets to deal with the COVID-19
pandemic including the distribution of food parcels. The department requested the
committee’s intervention.

The department has reprioritized its current budget to accommodate its disaster
management interventions to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The
money to fund these interventions come from the line items of the departmental
budget.

COGTA MEC, Hon. Sipho Hlomuka has engaged his national counterpart, Minister Dr
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to resolve the issue of funding to the province. The MEC
has been informed that National Treasury has not released the funding to provinces
for fighting the spread of the pandemic. It was still busy with calculations.

The committee raised serious concerns about the distribution of food parcels to
vulnerable communities. It wants to see better coordination in the distribution of food
parcels to ensure that there is equitable and transparent distribution of food parcels to
communities. There is a perception that municipalities are distributing food parcels
along party lines.

“As chairperson of COGTA Portfolio Committee, I will engage the Premier and the
chairperson of COGTA in the National Parliament to ensure that funding for combating
the COVID-19 pandemic is released by national government and made available to
the province as a matter of urgency. We also encourage our MEC to continue with his
engagements with the national Minister to fast-track the release of funding to fight the
spread of the pandemic in KZN” said Hon. Ricardo Mthembu, chairperson of COGTA
Portfolio Committee.

Ends

Issued by
Hon. Ricardo Mthembu, MPL
Chairperson of COGTA Portfolio Committee, KZN Legislature
For more information please contact the Chairperson: Cell: 083 981 4320