20 April 2023

TO: ALL MEDIA

KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE TO VOTE ON THE KWAZULU-NATAL APPROPRIATION BILL 2023/2024

In performing its law-making function, the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature considers and passes the provincial budget to allow the Provincial Government to deliver services to the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

From the 18th to the 21st April 2023, all provincial departments have presented their Budget Votes to the Legislature where the Premier and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) outlined their departmental programmes that are designed to accelerate service delivery in the province.

The Legislature will consider and vote on the KwaZulu-Natal Appropriation Bill, 2023 on the afternoon of 21st April 2023 in the Chamber. The KwaZulu-Natal Appropriation Bill provides for the appropriation of money from the Provincial Revenue Fund for the requirements of the Province in the 2023/2024 financial year ending on 31 March 2024.

In performing its oversight function, the Legislature will closely monitor the spending of the Provincial Budget by departments to ensure the implementation of government programmes to bring about service delivery to communities. Legislature Committees will perform their oversight responsibilities over departments to ensure proper spending of departmental budgets and implementation of programmes to deliver services and development.

Ends

Issued by
Communications Unit: KZN Legislature
For more information:

Sina Nxumalo, 0829060449

Wonder Hlongwa, 0829083532

Annual Interfaith Symposium held in Alfred Duma Municipality

 The KZN Legislature convened people of various faiths in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in their annual Interfaith Symposium which took place in Alfred Duma Municipality under the theme, “Developing Boys to be Leaders in the Fight Against Gender Based Violence for the Restoration of Women’s Dignity”. 

The Interfaith Symposium is a platform for the Interfaith Sector to deliberate on issues of social ills facing society and to provide the Legislature and Executive with inputs on how they can address other societal challenges in their law-making, oversight and executive functions respectively.

The Interfaith Sector has committed themselves to the ideals of peace, restoration of moral values, fight against all forms of social ills including gender-based violence, and a search for a society that respects and acknowledges the values of Ubuntu.

The symposium, which met on the 12^th April 2023, adopted a set of resolutions that will be forwarded to the Legislature for consideration and further processing by its committees. After consideration by relevant committees, the resolutions will be tabled in the House for adoption and referred to the Executive for implementation.

Committees will perform their oversight responsibility on the implementation of resolutions in their monthly committee meetings. The Executive is required to present a comprehensive report on the implementation of the resolutions adopted by this year’s symposium at the next sitting of the Interfaith Symposium.

Some of the resolutions that will be adopted by the Legislature will find expression in the law-making processes of the Legislature.

KZN LEGISLATURE SUCCESSFULLY HOSTS 84^TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CPA’S AFRICA REGION

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature has successfully hosted the 84^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Africa Region Executive Committee meeting from the 3^rd to the 6^th of April in Durban this year.

 The Africa Region of the (CPA) comprises of the 63 national and subnational Legislatures and is governed by Co-ordinating Committee and the Executive Committee which are made up of all representatives from across the region.

The meeting was attended and addressed by Deputy Speaker of the South African Parliament Honourable Lechesa Tsenoli and Speaker of the KZN Legislature Honourable Nontembeko Boyce. Delegates showered Honourable Boyce with praises for the sterling work she did hosting the executive committee.

Members of the Executive Committee attending the meeting came from various countries throughout the continent.

The region’s President Hon A. Bundu comes from Sierra Leone; Chairperson Hon C.G Hara from Malawi, Vice Chairperson Hon. L. Sinimbo from Namibia, Treasurer Hon. N. Mekgwe from Gauteng, Vice Treasurer Hon. T. Mangwegape – Healy from Botswana, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Chairperson Hon. Dr. Z. Gimba from Nigeria, CPA Africa Region Secretary is Ms. N. Mwihambi, ndc from Tanzania.

Ends

01 April 2023

Media Advisory

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature will be hosting the 84^th Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPA) Africa Region from the 3^rd to the 6^th of April in Durban this year.

The Africa Region of the (CPA) comprises of the 63 national and subnational Legislatures and is governed by Co-ordinating Committee and the Executive Committee which are made up of all representatives from across the region.

Members of the Executive Committee attending this meeting come from various countries throughout the continent.

Our President Hon A. Bundu comes from Sierra Leone; Chairperson Hon C.G Hara from Malawi, Vice Chairperson Hon. L. Sinimbo from Namibia, Treasurer Hon. N. Mekgwe from Gauteng, Vice Treasurer Hon. T. Mangwegape – Healy from Botswana, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Chairperson Hon. Dr. Z. Gimba from Nigeria, CPA Africa Region Secretary is Ms. N. Mwihambi, ndc from Tanzani

The mission of the CPA Africa region is:  “To promote and protect the interests and perspectives of CPA Africa Regional Parliaments and countries, into the Commonwealth and beyond, and to promote gender equality, emancipation of women, and respect for human rights, freedoms, democracy and good governance.”

Details of the meeting are as follows:

Date: 3-6 April 2023

Time: 9am to 4pm

Venue: Garden Court, Marine Parade (Durban)

For more information please contact Sina Nxumalo at 0829060449 or Nomusa Phungula at 0718510085

QUALITY OF LIFE STANDING COMMITTEE VISITS SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN ZULULAND DISTRICT

The chairperson of Quality of Life Standing Committee in the Legislature and a multiparty delegation of Members of Parliament visited special schools in  Zululand District with the intention of assessing the conditions and wellness of disabled pupils where they live. Members were also there to ascertain the role of relevant departments (Health, Social Development and Education) which they play in supporting the needs of disabled learners as per their legislative mandates.

All relevant departments were summoned to account as per the roles they play and support they give to ensure that teaching and learning takes place in a condusive environment, and that resources and equipments needed by learners with special needs are provided for, as this would allow learners with special needs to exercise their constitutional rights of equal access to education. The chairperson applauded the initiative by government to install water boreholes in remote rural schools, especially in Districts that are experiencing water shortages. “Though there is still so much to be done but you are on the right track, keep up the good work” said Phumzile Mbatha-Cele chairperson of Quality of Life Standing Committee.

07 March 2023

Media Release

For immediate release

KZN LEGISLATURE’S COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO UNDERTAKE A STUDY VISIT TO JAPAN

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs will undertake a study visit to Japan from the 27^th May to the 4^th June 2023 as part of the Legislature’s Members’ Capacity Building Programme.

Today, the Legislature Speaker, Hon Nontembeko Boyce and COGTA Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Hon. Zinhle Cele met with the Japanese Embassy led by Ambassador Tasuku Takanishi to discuss the preparations and programme for the visit.

Amongst the issues discussed with the Embassy which forms part of the study visit include the following:

• Disaster management
• Water and sanitation
• Meeting with the City Council of Yokohama City
• Visit to the Coal Plant using coal imported from South Africa
• Waste management
• Meeting with Political counterparts and Speaker of Japanese Parliament
• Visit to NISSAN Headquarters

On returning from the study, the committee will compile a report which will be submitted to the Speaker, and tabled in the House for debate and adoption.

During this 6^th term of the Legislature, most committees have visited various countries throughout the world to learn best practices to improve our law-making and oversight functions.

Ends

 For more information, please contact.

Hon. Zinhle Cele, Chairperson of COGTA Portfolio Committee

Cell: 060 501 7783

Issued by Communications Unit: KZN Legislature

Sina Nxumalo: 0829060449

21 February 2023

Media Statement

KZN LEGISLATURE PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE CALLS FOR THE EVICTION OF “HITMEN” OCCUPYING LEGISLATURE HOUSING UNITS IN ULUNDI.

Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Public Works Portfolio Committee have called for the eviction of alleged hitmen who have taken over housing units and government flats at the old legislature complex in Ulundi, north of KwaZulu-Natal.

Portfolio Committee members heard how apartments that were built to house government employees and some houses built for the provincial government ministers have been hijacked by armed hitmen who are refusing to vacate the properties.

Provincial Public Works Department Head Mr Siboniso Majola told the committee which met at the KZN Legislature Complex today how he was intimidated by one of the alleged hitmen.

“I went to the old legislature complex in Ulundi to talk to some of the illegal occupants that they needed to vacate the flats. One of the illegal occupants pulled out two firearms, placed them on the table and said ‘yes Mr Majola, we can talk now’. I was terrified”, said Majola.

The Chairperson of the Provincial Public Works Portfolio Committee Honourable Makhosazane Zungu condemned the conduct of the alleged hitmen.

The committee resolved to formally request the South African Police Services and the department to work together to evict illegal occupiers. Zungu said the committee would give the SAPS and the department six months to ensure that illegal occupiers of the buildings are removed.

Committee member Honourable Sthembiso Mshengu said he was shocked at the derelict state of provincial government flats and some ministerial houses in Ulundi adding that the complex is so neglected that it is still emblazoned with the coat-of-arms of the old KwaZulu Homeland government.

Committee member Honourable Hlengiwe Mavimbela, who is also Chairperson of Committees commended the adoption of the resolution saying the committee cannot keep quiet as if it condoned the illegal occupation of government property.

The committee also heard that the departments which have been owing the Public Works Department hundreds of millions of rands have begun to settle their debts. Majola said this was in response to a directive issued at the provincial cabinet lekgotla that departments must pay before the end of the current financial year.

Committee member Honourable James Nxumalo commended those departments who have paid saying it was unacceptable that others were not quick to settle their debts in order for the department to be able to carry-out its responsibilities.

Committee member Honourable Vusi Dube said even those who were legally occupying the flats must pay so that the conditions of the complex could be improved.

The old legislature complex in Ulundi houses a number of government departments and the house of traditional leaders. Some residential flats are legally occupied by some of these officials.

Ends

Issued by KZN Legislature Public Works Portfolio Committee Chairperson Hon Makhosazane Zungu, contact details 0839894400

OR Committee Media Officer Mr Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532

Mr Siboniso Majozi, KwaZulu-Natal’s Head of the Department of Public Works

20 February 2023

Media Advisory

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO QUIZ DEPARTMENTAL OFFICIALS ON CAPITAL PROJECTS AND PROGRESS ON REPAIRING INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGED BY RECENT FLOODS

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Public Works Portfolio Committee is set to hear presentations from the Provincial Department of Public Works on the progress made by the department on a number of capital projects currently underway. Members of the Provincial Legislature are expected to be given clarity on contentious projects such as the construction of the legislature precinct at Town Hill in Pietermaritzburg. Members of the committee are also expected to quiz the department on progress made to repair the infrastructure which was damaged by last year’s floods and this year’s torrential rains.

The meeting is scheduled as follows:

Time: 10am

Date: 21 February 2023

Venue: Lillian Ngoyi Committee Room (Legislature Precinct)

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the proceedings accordingly.

For more information please contact Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532.

KZN Legislature held its Strategic Review Workshop from 16-18 February

From 16 to 18 February 2023, the KZN Legislature held its 2023/2024 Strategy Review Workshop at the Cathedral Peak Resort in the Drakensberg, to review progress in the implementation of the 2019/2025 Strategic Master Plan Document. The workshop, which was attended by the Legislature Strategic Leadership, which is constituted by the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip, Chair of Chairs, Deputy Chair of Chairs and Senior Management, and invited guests speakers.

The workshop received a number of presentations from eminent speakers including the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), former Statistician General, Dr Pali Lehohla, and Academics. After thorough engagements with the presentations, the Legislature is now well positioned to prepare itself to close out its 6^th Term and come up with a sound strategy for the next term which is starting after the 2024 democratic elections.

The Legislature is committed to sharpening its law making, oversight and public involvement mechanisms to bring a better life to all the people of KwaZulul-Natal.