MEDIA ADVISORY

11 February 2025

KWAZULU-NATAL GOVERNMENT PRAISED FOR REDUCING BUDGET DEFICIT BY OVER R4 BILLION IN LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Finance Portfolio Committee has heaped praises on the provincial government for managing to reduce the projected over expenditure from R9 billion to R5 billion in a short space of time.

Briefing the Finance Portfolio Committee at the legislature today, Finance MEC Francois Rodgers announced that the cost cutting measures implemented by the provincial government at the end of last year had produced handsome dividends.

“When we implemented the cost curtailment measures in November last year our projected over expenditure was R9 billion and we are happy to announce that we have reduced it by R4 billion. We have achieved this by implementing significant reductions in travel expenses, vehicle rentals, catering and functions. We will continue to ensure that we reduce it even further,” said Rodgers.

Members of the committee commended the provincial government and urged it to continue implementing measures aimed at closing the budget shortfall. “This is a major achievement over a short period of time. We know that this is not easy to achieve,” said Finance Portfolio Committee Chair, Hon Mthandeni Dlungwana.

The Finance department also presented its 2025/2026 draft budget, the 2024/2025 third quarter financial, non-financial reports as well as the draft 2025/2026 annual performance plan.

ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE

For enquiries : Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600             

For interviews: Committee Chair, Hon Mthandeni Dlungwana 0823290354

MEDIA ADVISORY

10 February 2025 

ESKOM TO APPEAR BEFORE THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TOMORROW

Eskom senior managers will tomorrow appear before the COGTA Portfolio Committee to provide feedback on progress made in addressing challenges faced by the power utility in KwaZulu-Natal. “We have requested Eskom to brief us on the thorny issue of damaged electricity transformers that remain stubbornly high and leave communities without power. Eskom will also share a detailed report on electricity debt owed by municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and how they plan to remedy the situation. We will also share with Eskom issues raised by the public and councilors to get feedback and work towards overall improvement,” said COGTA Chairperson, Hon Marlaine Nair ahead of the meeting.

 The meeting will also be attended by the COGTA department which will, among other things, provide an update on the outstanding backpay for izinduna, Members of the media are invited to cover the meeting which is scheduled as follows:

Date  : 11 February 2025

Time  : 11:30 am

Venue: Chamber, Pietermaritzburg

Link:

ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE

For enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600

For interviews: COGTA Chairperson, Hon Marlaine Nair 0726928963

MEDIA ADVISORY

10 February 2025

KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE’S FINANCE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS KEY REPORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

The provincial Department of Treasury’s crucial reports, including the 2025/2026 draft budget, will be presented during the KwaZulu-Natal legislature’s finance portfolio committee meeting tomorrow. The department will also present its 2024/2025 third quarter financial and non-financial reports as well as the draft 2025/2026 annual performance plan. “We are in a very important period on our calendar where we process issues of budget and the annual performance plan which are crucial in ensuring that the department executes its mandate of mobilizing and disbursing funds to all provincial government departments,” said Finance Portfolio Committee Chair, Hon Mthandeni Dlungwana.

Members of the media are invited to cover the meeting which is scheduled as follows:

Date  : 11 February 2025

Time  : 8:30 am

Venue: Ingcuce Committee Room

Link: Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 323 637 094 152, Passcode: mg78oc2g

ISSUED BY THE LEGISLATURE

For enquiries  : Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600             

For interviews: Committee Chair, Hon Mthandeni Dlungwana 0823290354

Media Statement

Date: 30 January 2025

KZN LEGISLATURE’S HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS SESSION IN UTHUKELA DISTRICT

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Human Settlements Portfolio Committee held its annual Stakeholders Engagement Session session in Okhahlamba Local Municipality under the Uthukela District on the 30^th of January.

Hundreds of stakeholders including traditional leaders, local councillors, non-governmental organisations etc attended the engagement session. Senior officials from the Departmetn of Human Settlements made presentations which were later interrogated by members of the portfolio committee led by Hon Dr Andile Biyela.

Members of the public were later given an opportunity raise service delivery matters that affecting their respective areas. A number of issues such as unfinished low cost houses, alleged corruption in the allocation of low cost houses and other issues such as lack of basic services were raised by various stakeholders.

Committee Chairperson Hon Biyela said the committee will follow up on some of the issues raised by the locals to ensure that the department makes necessary interventions.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Communications Unit

MEDIA STATEMENT
28 JANUARY 2025

KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE HOSTS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION IN ILEMBE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

The KwaZulu-Natal legislature’s Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio committee today hosted a highly successful engagement with business leaders, emerging entrepreneurs and government entities in Ilembe District Municipality.

The legislature created the platform to solicit views from key stakeholders on opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs, funding initiatives, mentorship programme’s as well as the planned investment initiatives in the district.

The session was also attended by Mayors of KwaDukuza municipality, Maphumulo Municipality and CEOs of all entities that fall under the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

“We have just concluded a highly successful session with several sectors in Ilembe District Municipality. Government entities did not only share economic projects and programme’s that they have but, members of the community and businesspeople were able to make their contributions. Today’s session was part of what we do as the committee before both the budget and the Annual Performance Plan are approved,” said Hon Mafika Mndebele.

Among the opportunities presented today were those found in the Durban Aerotropolis which includes the building of a 21st Century airport city around the King Shaka International Airport. Also shared were opportunities in the tourism sector which are expected to turn KZN into a bustling hub of economic activity.

Aspirant entrepreneurs implored on the department and the portfolio committee to ensure that Operation Vula Fund was accelerated. The fund was initiated by the provincial government to provide adequate financial support towards the development of emerging enterprises.

ISSUED BY THE LEGISLATURE
For interviews: Hon Mafika Mndebele +27 (83) 783-5164

For enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe (Legislature) 0823272600

Media Statement

Date: 16 January 2025

KZN LEGISLATURE’S PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE WELCOMES ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT’S TOP OFFICIAL IN THE AWARDING OF OVER R1 BILLION TENDERS TO ONE ENTITY

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Public Works Portfolio Committee has welcomed the decision by the department’s MEC Martin Meyer to criminally charge a former senior departmental official in alleged tender irregularities.

Public Works Department laid criminal charges earlier this week with the SAPS following the dismissal of a top departmental official who is accused of allegedly facilitating awarding of 29 tenders worth over R1 billion to one entity.

Public Works Portfolio Committee Chairperson Honourable Nhlanhla Msimango said the committee will be monitoring developments closely because it has a constitutional mandate of exercising oversight over the department and its entities.

“Any allegation of corruption should be investigated thoroughly and those who are alleged to be involved should face the full might of the law,” said Msimango.

Ends

Issued by the KZN Legislature Public Works Portfolio Committee

For more information please contact the Committee’s Media Practitioner Mr Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532.

SUBJECT: COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO HOST A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE BHAMBANANA HALL IN JOZINI MUNICIPALITY, MKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT ON FRIDAY, 17 JANUARY 2025

The Stakeholder Engagement Session will take place at the eBhambanana Hall in eJozini Municipality which falls under the Mkhanyakude District and will receive reports and presentations from Senior Management Officials of the KZN Department of COGTA.

The KZN Legislature COGTA Portfolio Committee is holding this session to facilitate briefings on the Annual Performance Plans (APPs) and 2025/26 Budgets of the KZN Department of COGTA offering members of the public a platform to receive representations on the KZN COGTA Departments plans for 2025/26 and then make inputs which the Committee may utilise when it engages with the Officials of the Department as part of its oversight over the KZN COGTA Department which will report on the following items:

(1) Draft 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan; and

(2) Draft 2025/26 Budget

The Stakeholder Engagement Session hosted by the Chairperson and Members of the COGTA Portfolio Committee seeks to expand on the Public Participation mandate of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature via the COGTA Portfolio Committee and members of the media are invited to attend on 17 January 2025 at the Bhambanana Hall in eJozini LM.

Alternatively, you will be able to watch the entire proceedings LIVE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kwazulu-natallegislature1610 beginning at 10H00

Issued by Communications Unit –   KZN Legislature.   Sina Nxumalo: Senior Manager, Communication Services, 0829060449   –   nxumalow@kznleg.gov.za

SUBJECT: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO HOST A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE ENHLALAKAHLE HALL IN EMVOTI MUNICIPALITY ON THURSDAY, 16 JANUARY 2025

The Stakeholder Engagement Session will take place at the eNhlalakahle Hall in eMvoti Municipality which falls under the Umzinyathi District and will receive reports and presentations from Senior Management Officials of the KZN Department of Social Development.

The KZN Legislature Social Development Portfolio Committee is holding this session to facilitate briefings on the Annual Performance Plans (APPs) and 2025/26 Budgets of the KZN Department of Social Development offering members of the public a platform to receive representations on the KZN Social Development Departments plans for 2025/26 and then make inputs which the Committee may utilise when it engages with the Officials of the Department as part of its oversight over the KZN Social Development Department which will report on the following items:

(1) Draft 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan; and
(2) Draft 2025/26 Budget

The Stakeholder Engagement Session hosted by the Chairperson and Members of the Social Development Portfolio Committee seeks to expand on the Public Participation mandate of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature via the Social Development Portfolio Committee and members of the media are invited to attend on 16 January 2025 at the ENhlalakahle Hall in eMvoti.

Alternatively you will be able to watch the entire proceedings LIVE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kwazulu-natallegislature1610 beginning at 10H00

Issued by Communications Unit – KZN Legislature. Muhammad Ismail: Communications Officer: 0829083327 – ismailm@kznleg.gov.za