17 MARCH 2025
TO ALL MEDIA
HEALTH PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE FOLLOWS UP ON MEDICINE SHORTAGES

Following the ongoing reports of shortages of medicine in public healthcare facilities, the Portfolio Committee will tomorrow, 18 March 2025, at 8am hold a virtual meeting to receive updates from the previous meeting held in this regard with the department. Then, on Thursday, members will conduct an oversight visit to the Provincial Pharmaceutical Supply Depot (PPSD) in Clairwood. The PPPSD is the “wholesale pharmacy-like” supplier to public healthcare institutions such as clinics in KZN.
The depot provides medicines to 566 of 588 clinics directly and the remaining 22 clinics receive stock from mother hospitals. It also supports 23 Community Health Centres (CHC’s), and 69 hospitals.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Hon, Imran Keeka, said “The virtual meeting follows a previous meeting where we received an update in the state of medicine stocks in KZN. With the follow-up meeting we wish to monitor whether the areas of concern raised by the portfolio committee have either improved or worsened. I am also very concerned that lapses on the side of facility management who are not properly working with district management is contributing to patient difficulties. Our duty is to perform formal oversight over the executive and to verify what officials are telling us. If we don’t go and see for ourselves, we can’t be said to be doing the work of the people of KZN”.

Members of the media are invited to join virtually and on Thursday to meet with the Committee after the oversight visit. A link will be sent to the media via our Whatsap Media Group and email. Arrangements for interviews with the chairperson following the oversight can be arranged with him directly

ISSUED BY KZN LEGISLATURE
Wesley Canham
Senior Practitioner Media liaison
0833767299
Honourable Dr Imran Keeka, MPL
Chairperson: Health Portfolio Committee
083 703 9135

17 March 2025

 Media Advisory

 AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT AT MAKHATHINI IRRIGATION SCHEME

 KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee is set to conduct an oversight visit at Makhathini Irrigation Scheme outside Jozini in the Umkhanyakude District on the 18^th of March 2025. The visit will begin at 10 am.

The committee will receive a “seasonal employment” report from the Agri-Development Agency (ADA) and the turn-around strategy of Makhathini Irrigation Scheme.

Committee members will then conduct oversight including checking the scheme’s pumping stations.

Ends

Issued by KZN Legislature Communications Unit

For Media Inquiries please contact Wonder Hlongwa at 0829083532

MEDIA ADVISORY

13 March 2025

KZN LEGISLATURE COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS ON IMDA BILL IN HARRY GWALA, AMAJUBA AND ETHEKWINI METRO

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) will, from 18th to the 26^th of March 2025, conduct public hearings in three districts and eThekwini Municipality to solicit views and inputs on the Independent Municipal Demarcation Authority (IMDA) Bill.

Commenting ahead of the public hearings, COGTA portfolio committee Chairperson, Ms Marlaine Nair described the Bill as crucial adding that it was aimed at repealing and substituting the current Municipal Demarcation Act of 1998, to align it with current demarcation board practices.

“This is a very important bill. We urge the public to take part in all our public hearings and make their inputs. The public hearings form part of the legislature’s constitutionally mandated public participation process which involves consulting the public in law-making,” added Nair.

Members of the media are invited to cover the hearings will take place as follows:

Date   : 18 March 2025

Venue: Creighton Hall (Harry Gwala District)

Time   : 10 am

Date   : 19 March 2025

Venue: Utrecht Town Hall (Amajuba District)

Time   : 10 am

Date   : 20 March 2025

Venue: KwaBester Hall, eThekwini Municipality)

Time   : 10 am

Date: 26 March 2025

Venue: Ncotshane Community Hall, Zululand District.

Time: 10 am

ISSUED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE, MS MARLAINE NAIR

For media interviews: Ms Marlaine Nair 0726928963

For media enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600

11 MARCH 2025
TO ALL MEDIA
FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE

Subject: Escalating Crime in Amaoti.

We remain extremely worried about the violent crime perpetrated against innocent people in Amaoti, Inanda and other areas.

Following the recent murder of three men, the shooting of a woman, and a community protest in Amaoti, something drastic must be done by relevant authorities to turn around the situation.

In particular, the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, together with the Office of the Premier, should be on the side of local vulnerable members of the community during this period.
The co-ordinating role of the Office of the Premier becomes critical in terms of the deployment of resources and the rollout of tangible programs that must end the pervasive culture of violence in the affected areas.

The mushrooming of youth gangs, extortion, drug trafficking, alcohol, and substance abuse has contributed to the ongoing crime and violence.
This could be traced to the high school dropout rates and the lack of recreational and skills development activities for the youth.

An integrated approach involving both Office of the Premier and the Department of Community Safety and Liaison should be introduced and used to end the scourge whilst addressing the psychological impact of crime on communities.
The resources in the possession of both departments must be used to make a difference for the vulnerable members of communities, especially women, children, the youth, and senior citizens.

While the role of the police is critical in the fight against crime, the two departments have an equal responsibility in creating an environment that would result in the reduction or eradication of crime.

Moving forward, the Office of the Premier should be seized with the co-ordination of the work of government departments in order to accelerate service delivery interventions in the Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu and other area.

The Department of Community and Liaison must establish a central safety co-ordination team with safety initiatives being introduced and implemented urgently.

The lack of action and tangible programmes in the area will result in the creation of a pool of young people from which hardened criminals recruit. The Committee will visit these areas as soon as possible.

End

Issued by Hon Mbali Frazer
Chair of the Portfolio Committee: Premier, Community Safety and Liaison
078 300 5259

MEDIA ADVISORY

10 March 2025

CALL FOR INPUTS ON FOCUSED INTERVENTION STUDY ON WATER CHALLENGES IN ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY

The human rights to water require that drinking water is always available, accessible, safe and acceptable for all. In the eThekwini Municipality, there has been widespread concerns and grievances expressed by residents regarding the ongoing water crisis. This has prompted the KZN Legislature’s portfolio committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to undertake a focused intervention study on the municipality’s water supply.

This consultative session is a significant step toward addressing potential corruption and mismanagement. We strongly believe that compiling a comprehensive report incorporating representations from various stakeholders will be beneficial to ensure a unified and informed approach toward resolving the crisis.

Members of the public are therefore invited to make their detailed inputs to the study no later than the 2nd of April 2025. Inputs should be emailed to: mthembuv@kznleg.gov.za. For more information please do not hesitate to contact Mr Vusi Mthembu on 033 355 7050

ISSUED BY THE KZN LEGISLATURE COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE, MS MARLAINE NAIR

For media interviews: Ms Marlaine Nair 0726928963

For media enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600

TO:  ALL MEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:  05 MARCH 2025

NATIONAL SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT ENTERS INTO A PARTNERSHIP THROUGH TRAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature is excited to announce partnership with the National School of Government (NSG) to empower its members. This collaboration is part of an ongoing programme by the legislature of creating platforms to empower its members and employees. 

The Legislature holds a firm belief that capacity building will lead to enhanced law-making, public participation, oversight, and impactful service delivery.

“The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature has prioritised capacity building for both elected public representatives and employees during this term. As the KZN we believe that a well-capacitated Provincial Legislature can only be realized if we build strong partnership with relevant institutions of Learning, other bodies supporting parliamentary democracy, and the broader community of KwaZulu-Natal Province,” said Hon Boyce.

Hon. Boyce underscored the importance of ongoing education and professional development, highlighting that such initiatives are crucial for empowering all Members to meet the expectations of their roles and serve the public effectively. By investing in continuous learning, the Legislature aims to improve governance and better address the needs of the constituents they represent.

The Principal of the NSG, Prof. Busani Ngcaweni, said this partnership is a key focus for the NSG as it takes forward its mandate in playing a pivotal role in enhancing the professionalism, ethics, and capabilities of the public sector. “The NSG prides itself on facilitating and assisting the Legislative Sector in terms of providing strategic leadership, thereby enabling the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature to exercise its Constitutional responsibility in an enabling environment of a skilled and capable workforce that is central to the KZN-Legislatures’ vision,” said Prof Ngcaweni.

The partnership with the NSG aims to strengthen the Legislatures’ unique capabilities in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities. It focuses on improving ethical leadership and ethical oversight, creating effective laws to enhance service delivery, and engaging citizens in decision-making.

The collaborative partnership is committed to equipping the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature with advanced skills and strong leadership capabilities with the aim of addressing the diverse needs and aspirations of various communities. This partnership will create a meaningful impact which will enhance the quality of life for all residents, fostering a brighter and more sustainable future for the province.

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT AND THE KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE

Media Enquiries:

Media Liaison Officer, Ms. Phathisa Mfuyo: 081 021 5111

Communications Manager, Mr Sina Nxumalo:  082 906 0449

ENDS

MEDIA STATEMENT

26 February 2025

KWAZULU-NATAL FLOODING: CONDOLENCES AND CALL FOR PROACTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN KZN

On behalf of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Portfolio Committee in KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, I extend our deepest condolences to the families who have tragically lost loved ones in the recent flooding. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this profoundly difficult time.

We also express our heartfelt sympathy to those who have suffered the loss of their homes and possessions due to these devastating floods. The impact on your lives is immeasurable, and we stand with you in solidarity as you navigate the challenges ahead. We would also like to commend the MEC for COGTA Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi and his department for their timeous response to residents in flooded areas.

The increasing frequency of torrential downpours and flooding in our province underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and proactive disaster management strategies. Climate change has rendered such extreme weather events more common, making it imperative for all municipalities to prioritize disaster preparedness and response.

We call upon municipal authorities to adopt a proactive approach, implementing robust infrastructure improvements, early warning systems, and community education programs to mitigate the effects of such natural disasters. The safety and well-being of our residents must remain paramount.

To our fellow citizens, we urge you to exercise caution and remain vigilant during these times. Do not underestimate the dangers posed by severe weather conditions. Stay informed through official channels, adhere to safety guidelines, and take necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

Let us unite in our efforts to enhance disaster management and build resilient communities capable of withstanding the challenges posed by our changing climate. Together, we can work towards a safer and more secure KwaZulu-Natal for all.

ISSUED BY COGTA PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON, HONOURABLE MARLAINE NAIR

For interviews: COGTA Portfolio Committee Chair, Hon Marlaine Nair 0726928963
For enquiries: Mr Bongani Tembe 0823272600