Caption:
Caption
Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Nontembeko Boyce, at Umthethomusha Primary School to hand over Girl Guide uniforms.
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Asive Rurwana has expressed heartfelt thanks to the Chairperson of Committees, Hon. Dr. Mahlaba, following his generous handover of school uniforms to pupils at UMbumbano Senior Primary School in Nongoma.
CAPTION: Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Hon. Mmabatho Tembe, visited Sithunjwana Primary School in eMpendle to donate a variety of library books and educational puzzles
15 April 2025
Media statement
Attention all media
KZN LEGISLATURE AND SALGA KZN JOIN FORCES BY SIGNING MOU TO ACCELARATE SERVICE DELIVERY
KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker Hon. Nontembeko Boyce and KwaZulu-Natal SALGA Chairperson Xolani Dube have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will assist in strengthening collaboration between the legislature and SALGA in the province.
Hon. Boyce said, “We are happy that after successful engagements and meetings we have had with the PEC for SALGA that we are able to form this strategic partnership which will contribute in coordinating strategies which will be crucial in supporting municipalities and the Legislature while conducting oversight across the province.”
“We are also looking forward to the relaunch of the KZN Provincial Speaker’s forum which will assist in the empowerment of Speakers across all municipalities in KZN. Through this agreement we will be able to share reports and have SALGA KZN as a strategic partner in some of our oversight programmes, said Hon. Boyce.
This collaboration will create a platform where the Legislature and municipalities will be able to address challenges related to service delivery and intergovernmental participation in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) processes.
Media Enquiries:
Media Liaison Officer, Ms. Phathisa Mfuyo: 081 021 5111
Communications Manager, Mr Sina Nxumalo: 082 906 0449
ENDS
Media Statement
For Immediate Release
KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATORS RAISE CONCERNS OVER THE SUSPENSION OF CONDITIONAL GRANTS TO 25 KWAZULU-NATAL MUNICIPALITIES
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal has expressed deep disappointment and concern over the suspension of conditional grants totalling R861.4 million to 25 municipalities within our province.
It is particularly alarming that eThekwini Metro, the province’s only metropolitan municipality, severely challenged by service delivery issues, accounts for the bulk of the suspended funds, totalling R678 million. Furthermore, it is highly concerning that Msunduzi Municipality, the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal, also features prominently among those municipalities impacted by grant suspension, highlighting persistent governance and financial management challenges.
This situation is unacceptable, as these grants were specifically intended to improve the quality of life of residents through vital infrastructure projects such as electricity provision, water and sanitation improvements, and public transportation enhancements. Non-spending of allocated grants demonstrates poor financial governance and inadequate administrative management, depriving our communities of essential services and development opportunities.
The Auditor-General’s (AG) recent report underscores that most municipalities in KZN have achieved unqualified audits with findings. This indicates significant deficiencies in compliance, financial management, and governance processes. Findings predominantly include unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure; non-compliance with key legislation; weak financial reporting; and inadequate consequence management for those responsible for governance lapses.
It is imperative that municipalities vigorously pursue Section 106 investigations to enforce financial accountability. These investigations are crucial for addressing the findings raised by the AG, and where necessary, officials and political figures implicated in financial misconduct must be prosecuted swiftly and effectively.
Moreover, political parties governing these municipalities bear a direct responsibility for enhancing oversight and enforcing accountability. It cannot remain business as usual when nearly R900 million, critically needed for the development and welfare of KZN residents, is lost due to non-performance.
We, therefore, call on all political leaders at both provincial and municipal levels to prioritize stringent oversight and robust consequence management practices to ensure grant funding is utilized effectively and efficiently. The cycle of complacency must end, and swift action must be taken to address audit findings decisively to ensure meaningful improvements in governance, financial management, and service delivery.
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every cent allocated to improving the lives of our people is spent wisely, transparently, and effectively. The people of KwaZulu-Natal deserve better.
Members of the CoGTA Portfolio Committee has called on the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to furnish them with a detailed report outlining reasons why individual municipalities failed to spend their grants so that appropriate oversight interventions can be employed to assist.
ISSUED BY THE COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON, HON MARLAINE NAIR
For interviews: Hon Marlaine Nair 0726928963
For enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600
MEDIA STATEMENT
26 March 2025
KZN LEGISLATURE CONCLUDES ITS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON INDEPENDENT MUNICIPAL DEMARCATION AUTHORITY BILL
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) today wrapped up its public hearings on Independent Municipal Demarcation Authority Bill, which among other things, seeks to provide for the criteria and procedures for the determination and redetermination of municipal boundaries.
The public hearings were held in Harry Gwala District, Amajuba District, Zululand District and eThekwini Municipality from the 18th of March 2025. Commenting after the conclusion of the last public hearing in Zululand District today, Ms Marlaine Nair, the Committee Chairperson, has described the hearings as a resounding success. She added that the legislators had managed to receive valuable inputs from the public.
“The Bill we are processing is emanating from the National Parliament, and it is aimed at repealing and substituting the current Municipal Demarcation Act of 1998, to align it with the current demarcation board practices. It also deals with the introduction of a Demarcation Appeals Authority to allow for redress by persons aggrieved by a decision of the board and the renaming of the board to that of the Independent Demarcation Authority. We commend the public for the inputs they have made in all four public hearings. We are also happy that we had high turnouts,” said Nair.
Among the inputs made by the public in all the public hearings was the issue of transparency in the procedure and consultation with the public in the demarcation of wards, the need for qualifications of the Board members to be published, assessment of the socio-economic impact of the merger of wards.
The inputs made during public hearings will form part of the KZN Legislature’s report to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and could possibly change the version of the Bill that is passed into law.
Members of the public who were unable to attend public hearings can still send their submissions to the Portfolio Committee Coordinator Mr Vusi Mthembu via email at mthembuv@kznleg.gov.za and via WhatsApp or cell at 060503219 no later than the 3rd of April 2025.
For interviews: Hon Marlaine Nair 0726928963
For enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600
ISSUED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, MS MARLAINE NAIR
KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATORS COMMEND THE RICHARDS BAY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE FOR ATTRACTING INVESTMENTS WORTH BILLIONS OF RANDS
The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio on Economic Development and Tourism has commended the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ), for creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. This has seen investments worth billions of rands being pumped into the economy of the province.
The committee today visited Nyanza Light Metal, a multi-billion plant which is going to produce 80,000-ton titanium dioxide pigment per annum when completed in the next three years. The legislators also visited Wilmar, another multi-billion rand plant that imports, stores, and trades unrefined products.
Speaking of the visits and after receiving a comprehensive update on the upcoming investments, the Chairperson of the Committee Mr Mafika Mndebele said that the legislature delegation felt that the special economic zone was doing exceptionally well in terms of creating an enabling environment that attracts investments.
“We did not only visit two manufacturing plants, but we also received a detailed report on all projects that the RBIDZ has facilitated which includes multi-billion-rand energy projects. The CEO of RBIDZ, Mr Thabani Zulu, showed us that these projects are at different stages of implementation, and they are expected to be completed in the next few years. As the legislators, we will continue to keep a watchful eye on how this important zone operates because we want to see a sustained campaign to draw the attention of investors to the region and to motivate existing firms towards expansions,” added Mndebele.
Mndebele said the committee had noted challenges that needed to be addressed to ensure that the special economic zone continued to execute its mandate of attracting investments. “We have noted that most of the major projects have specialists from other countries who are helping in terms of setting up these projects. We have informed the leadership of the RBIDZ to ensure that there is a meaningful transfer of skills to local people when major projects are implemented. This will enable us as a country to have adequate skills.”
ISSUED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE, MR MAFIKA MNDEBELE
For media interviews: Mr Mafika Mndebele 0837835164
For media enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600
or Ms Choice Sihiya – 084 207 5823 (RBIDZ )
18 March 2025
Media Statement
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE’S VISIT TO MAKHATHINI IRRIGATION SCHEME
KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee visited Makhathini Irrigation Scheme outside Jozini in the Umkhanyakude District on the 18th of March 2025.
The aim of the visit was to receive the turn-around strategy of the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme from Agri-Development Agency (ADA) which is currently managing the facility.
ADA management presented the turn-around strategy, however it was rejected by the Makhathini Farmers Association who are the beneficiaries of the irrigation programme. Almost all members of the association who addressed the committee criticized the agency for failing to consult the association while developing the strategy.
Association members also complained that ADA was prioritizing its employees instead of the beneficiaries.
Committee Chairperson Honourable Super Zuma instructed the agency to rework the turn-around strategy working together with the association. Zuma emphasized that the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme was developed to assist beneficiaries in the Umkhanyakude District to deal with triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
The scheme was founded over fourty years to provide irrigation to small scale farmers in the Umkhanyakude area. However, the Committee heard on Tuesday that the majority of the pumps are dysfunctional and only 45% of all the pumps are working. Committee Members also visited several pumping stations where they were shown challenges faced by the agency and its employees including theft and vandalism of infrastructure.
Ends
Issued by the KZN Legislature Communications Unit
Issued by KZN Legislature Communications Unit
For Media Inquiries please contact Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532
Media Advisory
18 March 2025
KZN LEGISLATORS TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT VISIT AT THE FISH PROCESSING FACILITY IN KOSI BAY
The gigantic Kosi Bay Lake, at the coastal border of KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique, is known for its abundance of fish species which have not only been a source of food for locals for hundreds of years but also attract fishermen from all over the globe.
The lake has four intertwined segments that form part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. Here, communities use various customary fishing practices to harvest fish in sustainable way including utshwayelo or fish kraals.
The provincial government recently allocated R4 million for Utshwayelo Fish Processing and Aquaculture plant which incorporates a fish processing facility as well as fishponds to enable fishermen to generate meaningful revenue for their catch.
Commenting ahead of the oversight visit, the Chairperson of the Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio Committee, Mr Mafika Mndebele described the project as having massive potential to ignite change in the local economy.
“The project was initiated after fishermen faced several challenges, including transportation options, difficulties in selling or marketing their catch, and the lack of equipment for preservation and storage. My portfolio committee is visiting the project to monitor its progress and to ensure that the taxpayers’ funds which has been allocated to the project are used appropriately,” added Mndebele.
The visit will take place as follows:
Date : 19 March 2025
Venue: Utshwayelo Fish Processing and Aquaculture, Umhlabuyalingana Municipality
Time : 9 am
ISSUED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE, MR MAFIKA MNDEBELE
For media interviews: Mr Mafika Mndebele 0837835164
For media enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600
