COGTA Portfolio Committee Is Concerned About The Legal Costs Being Incurred By The KZN Department Of COGTA

Media Statement

For immediate release

Date: 28 October 2024

COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEGAL COSTS BEING INCURRED BY THE KZN DEPARTMENT OF COGTA

The Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature CoGTA Portfolio Committee, Honourable Marlaine Nair, on behalf of the committee, expressed concern following recent media reports about the legal battles involving the KZN CoGTA and councilors from various municipalities.

The chairperson has this to say “There are already serious budget constraints in this department and so the department incurring costs for legal battles is a definite concern.  The purpose of CoGTA is to support and capacitate municipalities. This becomes difficult when relations between the spheres are strained”.

“It is important that municipalities co-operate with the CoGTA Department and the MEC, and that both municipalities and the department work together to strengthen relations and put the people of KZN first. It is important that conflicts and misunderstandings are resolved through mediation and dialogue in an amicable way without ending up in the courts,” said the Honourable Nair.

It is imperative that the budget of the department is spent on improving the lives of our citizens, rather than on legal fees.  The CoGTA Portfolio Committee will raise these important concerns with the MEC and department in our oversight meetings.

Ends

Issued by : CoGTA Committee Chairperson – Hon. Marlaine Nair

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