Latest news with #Buthelezi
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
uMkhanyakude District challenges intervention
uMkhanyakude District Municipality is challenging the intervention instituted by Cogta MEC Thualasizwe Buthelezi. This after Buthelezi placed the district municipality under administration and announced the appointment of Bamba Ndwandwe as administrator on Monday last week. Ndwandwe, a seasoned local government veteran, has extensive experience working with various municipalities across the province. According to Buthelezi, Ndwandwe assumed his duties on 1 July and will serve as the ministerial representative until December. ALSO READ: uMkhanyakude District Municipality challenges Cogta intervention Buthelezi also announced the initiation of a forensic investigation into allegations of corruption and maladministration that have been brought to his attention. This investigation, being conducted in terms of Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, aims to thoroughly examine the various allegations. The intervention will ensure officials are held accountable should any wrongdoing be uncovered by investigators. Buthelezi further urged the municipal leadership to fully co-operate with the administrator and investigators. 'This cooperation is crucial to ensure the challenges facing the municipality receive the urgent attention they deserve,' he said. 'Fight back' uMkhanyakude Speaker Solomon Mkhombo claims the intervention has something to do with next year's local elections. 'He is using his position to say he is providing intervention in the interest of good governance. We know he is a wolf pursuing his political interest. 'We have written two letters to him, praying for him to open an engagement opportunity. We are still waiting for his response, but if he is not willing, we will be left with only one choice: to challenge the matter in court. 'We feel a lot of constitutional rights have been violated, and cannot fold our arms while being bullied. 'He is bringing a Section 106 investigation and we will co-operate with that investigation, provided it does not push any political agenda,' he said. ALSO READ: uMkhanyakude, Zululand districts get update on bulk water supply project Mkhombo said they viewed the MEC's action as undermining the legitimate authority of elected councillors and the will of the electorate that placed them in office. 'We do not have any reason to cooperate with the administrator; we will continue to work on our own, because as far as we are concerned, all the triggers that were raised before have been resolved. 'The previous intervention lasted almost five years, from February 2021 to 30 April 2025. When the intervention lapsed in April, the MEC misrepresented facts to Council on the basis that the intervention had not lapsed or terminated. 'Council refuted his claim in a letter addressed to him,' said Mkhombo. He went on to say that they are gravely concerned about the 'premature, unnecessary and procedurally unfair intervention that disregards the autonomy and constitutional rights of the local government institution', adding that the current state of governance at uMkhanyakude 'does not warrant this drastic measure'. 'The intervention should be used as a last resort, only when all other avenues have been exhausted, and only when there is a clear and sustained failure by the council to fulfil its executive obligations. We firmly believe this threshold has not been met in this instance,' he said. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Municipality hosts safety and security awareness campaign to curb crime
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services, Sizwe Buthelezi, brought together the eMalahleni community and various stakeholders for a safety and security awareness campaign at Lynnville Park. According to Buthelezi, the idea of the event, held on July 9, was inspired by the numerous complaints received in his office from different members of the community complaining about the increase in crime in the City of Coal. 'As the municipality, we have direct contact with the community and stakeholders at different departments, so it is our responsibility to bring the community together with the relevant stakeholders responsible for crime,' Buthelezi said. Through the gathering, the MMC explained that they aimed to create a positive response to the crime that has plagued eMalahleni, emphasising that they intend to do away with the culture of being more reactive than proactive. 'Instead of reacting to incidents, we are trying to encourage proaction, because crime prevention is key, and it must be primary,' he said. Buthelezi added that the various stakeholders they had which included representatives from the South African Police Service, law enforcement, traffic, fire department, disaster management, and the portfolio committee of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, were there to advice the community on how to be proactive and make them knowledgeable on the role they need to play in curbing crime. The Speaker of Council in eMalahleni, Clr Nombuso Shabangu, was also in attendance, reaffirming her commitment to creating a safer and more just society through collaboration with the community. Residents responded to the discussions and expressed their disturbing concerns regarding the rate of crime, and they all agreed that they need solutions, and they need them now. 'The level of crime in our city requires more strategic meetings in which we will go from ward to ward, discussing solutions,' said Themba Marabi, a resident of Ward 12. Buthelezi concluded, saying such campaigns and initiatives are a great starting point toward curbing crime. 'If you want to conquer the world, you start with the first step and continue until you reach your destination,' he said. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
How do you know you are ready to retire?
Retirement does not happen on the day of your 60th birthday anymore. These days you must be financially ready to retire. How do you know you are ready to retire? It is no longer a question of how old you are, but of how much you have saved to ensure you can have a comfortable retirement. Siphamandla Buthelezi, head of platforms at advisory firm NMG Benefits, says there is a moment in every career when you should stop asking, 'How much have I saved for my retirement?' and start asking, 'What now?'. 'Retirement is not the end of your financial journey but the beginning of a new one. While most of us spend decades building up our retirement savings, far fewer take the time to understand how to turn our savings into a reliable income, navigate new tax realities and properly plan our estate. 'This is why people approaching retirement must ask the right questions. The ideal time to start putting everything in place is five years before you retire. This enables you to make informed decisions, iron out any admin issues and understand the impact of your choices.' Here are the most important questions you should ask your financial adviser: What happens to my savings? Is it better to opt for a living annuity or a life annuity? Should you take a portion as a lump sum? Each comes with different income options, tax implications and risks. Buthelezi says If you choose a living annuity, you will have to decide on a realistic monthly drawdown rate and ensure your investments can keep up with inflation. 'A life annuity, on the other hand, offers guaranteed income for the rest of your life but comes at the cost of flexibility.' ALSO READ: South Africans are living longer and need to plan for longer retirement – here's how How will fees affect my income? Platform administration, investment management, and advice fees can significantly reduce your net income over time. 'Every rand spent on fees is a rand that does not support your lifestyle, and therefore, you should understand what you pay for and whether it is reasonable.' Are there tax implications? If you are behind on your taxes, Sars will deduct the outstanding amount from your savings before you receive a cent, Buthelezi warns. 'In addition, any lump sum you may take is taxed according to a sliding scale, although the first R550 000 is tax-free. Monthly drawdowns from living or life annuities are taxed just like any other income.' ALSO READ: Poor financial literacy about retirement costing SA and consumers millions What about medical aid? Unless your employer offers post-retirement medical benefits, your membership ends when your job does, he points out. 'Even if you are allowed to stay on your company's scheme, the portion that your employer may have been paying will likely fall away, leaving you to foot the full premium just as your healthcare needs start to increase.' Apart from the monthly premium, you must also plan for gap cover and chronic condition benefits. Does my will reflect my wishes? Buthelezi says you must ensure your will is up to date and your beneficiary nominations align with your intentions. 'If you are concerned about your future decision-making capacity, you should consider giving someone power of attorney to make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf. This should not be given lightly. You must fully trust the person and understand what you are authorising.' ALSO READ: Looking for a retirement property? Here's what to look for Will my lifestyle be sustainable? A good rule of thumb is that your retirement income should equal 75% of your final salary, assuming that major expenses, like bond and car payments, have been settled. Buthelezi says this is where a detailed financial and lifestyle audit comes in. You must map out exactly what your income will be, what your expenses will look like and whether there are any shortfalls. He notes that retirement is not just about stopping work. 'It is about stepping into a new chapter with the confidence that your financial foundation is solid. And this process does not begin the day you stop working. It begins today, with asking the right questions.'
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
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. With the doors to the municipal offices locked, the MEC held his meeting at the entrance of the building, where he informed councillors that the Provincial Executive Council had resolved to place the municipality under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution. 'This section empowers the provincial government to appoint an administrator when a municipality fails to fulfil its duties of providing services to communities,' Buthelezi explained. In a statement yesterday afternoon, Umkhanyakude Municipality said it was strongly opposed to the intervention by the Cogta MEC and stated it was irregular. Buthelezi announced the appointment of Bamba Ndwandwe as the new administrator. 'Mr. Ndwandwe is a seasoned local government veteran with extensive experience working with various municipalities across the province,' the MEC said. Ndwandwe officially took office on July 1. 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. 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. Advertisement 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. 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
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi faces lockout at UMkhanyakude District Municipality
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 on Monday after senior municipal officials allegedly attempted to block his visit. According to a media statement released by the department, the MEC was 'compelled to instruct officials to break locks that were used in an attempt to prevent him from addressing councillors.' 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. Condemning their actions, Buthelezi said: 'This conduct is unacceptable and goes against the principles of good governance and accountability. I will not be deterred in carrying out my constitutional mandate.' With the doors to the municipal offices locked, the MEC held his meeting at the entrance of the building, where he informed councillors that the Provincial Executive Council had resolved to place the municipality under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution. 'This section empowers the provincial government to appoint an administrator when a municipality fails to fulfil its duties of providing services to communities,' Buthelezi explained. He announced the appointment of Mr. Bamba Ndwandwe as the new administrator. 'Mr. Ndwandwe is a seasoned local government veteran with extensive experience working with various municipalities across the province,' the MEC said. Ndwandwe officially took office on 1 July. His immediate mandate is to stabilise the municipality and develop a 'comprehensive turnaround plan' to address the issues that led to the intervention. Buthelezi also revealed that a forensic investigation, authorised under Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, had been launched to probe 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.' THE MERCURY
