Government releases disaster grants worth billions
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, confirmed the rollout of the Municipal Disaster Response and Recovery Grants.
Damage to municipalities is estimated to be around R6.3 billion. Municipalities in the Eastern Cape is among the worst affected.
Hlabisa says strict accountability measures are in place to ensure the funds are used as intended.
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KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi clashes with Umkhanyakude Municipality over intervention
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cogta Thulasizwe Buthelezi said he was barred from entering the municipal premises. Image: Supplied KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi was forced to address councillors outside the locked gates of the Umkhanyakude District Municipality in Mkhuze, in the far north of the province, yesterday after senior municipal officials allegedly attempted to block his visit. The MEC described the incident as a blatant act of obstruction by officials, including the Speaker and Municipal Manager of the Umkhanyakude District, who 'barricaded the entrance to the municipality' to stop him from fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities. 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His immediate mandate is to stabilise the municipality and develop a 'comprehensive turnaround plan' to address the issues that led to the intervention. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Buthelezi also revealed that a forensic investigation, authorised under Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, had been launched to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration. 'The investigation aims to thoroughly examine the various allegations, and officials will be held accountable should any wrongdoing be uncovered by the investigators,' he said. The MEC called on the absent municipal leadership to cooperate fully with both the administrator and investigators, stressing the importance of urgency. 'MEC Buthelezi reiterated his unwavering commitment to working collaboratively with all KZN Municipalities to ensure they effectively deliver services and prioritise the interests of their communities,' the department stated. Despite the confrontation, Buthelezi affirmed: 'The MEC remains undeterred and will continue to work in the best interests of the residents of the KwaZulu-Natal province.' In a statement issued by the Speaker TS Mkhombo, the municipality said the council of Umkhanyakude District Municipality has taken a position to strongly oppose the recent intervention instituted by Cogta. It said the previous intervention lasted for almost five years from February 2021 and lapsed in April this year. 'When the intervention lapsed in April 2025, the MEC misrepresented facts to the Council on the basis that the intervention had not lapsed or terminated. He wrote correspondence to that effect. Council refuted his claim in a letter addressed to the MEC. 'The Council is gravely concerned about what it perceives as a premature, unnecessary, and procedurally unfair intervention that disregards the autonomy and constitutional rights of the local government institution. 'We view this action as undermining the legitimate authority of elected councillors and the will of the electorate that placed them in office." The statement added that there was no comprehensive engagement process between Cogta and the council of Umkhanyakude before the invocation. 'Proper cooperative governance requires open dialogue, support, and mediation before imposing provincial control. 'We would have expected, as a matter of due process and good governance, that the department would engage with the council, identify the areas of concern, and allow reasonable time for internal corrective measures to be implemented. 'No formal warnings, performance audits, or technical support processes were offered to the municipality before the intervention. This makes the decision procedurally unfair and administratively excessive," said the statement by the Speaker. THE MERCURY
