Latest news with #CoGTA
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Minister Hlabisa to give a keynote address to matriculants during the Schools Career Expo
Minister Hlabisa to give a keynote address to matriculants during the Schools Career Expo The Expo is hosted jointly by the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), as part of ongoing efforts to empower youth in underprivileged communities. The Expo is part of a youth empowerment initiative bringing together government and sector partners to expose learners to career opportunities, study options, and bursary information as well as equip learners with knowledge to make informed career decisions aligned with the market. The event forms part of Nelson Mandela Month and seeks to honour Madiba's legacy by investing in the potential of young people and building a more inclusive society. The event will highlight the importance of investing in young people, especially in rural areas, and how the government is working with stakeholders to ensure that no learner is left behind. The details of the event are as follows: Date: 31 July 2025 Time: 10am Venue: Ntambanana Village, Ward 32, Empangeni For media enquiries, contact: Ms. Pearl Maseko-Binqose Media Liaison Officer for the Minister of CoGTA +27 (82) 772 1709 Mr. Legadima Leso Head of Communications, CoGTA +27 (66) 479 9904 Ms. Choice Sihiya Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) +27 (84) 207 5823 Issued jointly by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ)
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
CoGTA flags dire audit findings as Umzinyathi racks up over R1bn in irregular spending
CoGTA flags dire audit findings as Umzinyathi racks up over R1bn in irregular spending The embattled Umzinyathi District Municipality has come under renewed scrutiny after it was revealed that the institution has incurred more than R1 billion in irregular expenditure, alongside R323 million in unauthorised spending and R42 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure. The revelations came during an oversight visit by the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature's Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Portfolio Committee, which placed Umzinyathi firmly in the spotlight. Residents in the district have repeatedly raised concerns over the unreliable water supply, with some areas—including Sibongile, Wasbank, and Glencoe—experiencing days without access to water. Committee chairperson Marlaine Nair, speaking to the Courier after the meeting, described the situation as 'deeply concerning,' saying the municipality's persistent failures undermine both public trust and service delivery. 'We are extremely concerned that Umzinyathi continues to receive adverse audit opinions from the Auditor-General, despite being under administration since 2016,' said Nair. She confirmed that this marks the third consecutive year the municipality has received an adverse opinion, signalling that its financial statements are unreliable and that there is ongoing non-compliance with legislation. The municipality has also presented unfunded budgets for three consecutive years and is facing a severe cash flow crisis, which puts basic services—including water provision—at risk. Despite spending over R1 billion on water infrastructure, major backlogs remain, with many projects stalled and infrastructure in disrepair. The municipal manager was suspended earlier this year, while Mayor Ngubane resigned, adding to the instability. 'We've requested detailed reports within two weeks, including updates on Section 106 investigations into alleged corruption. We do, however, welcome the co-operation received from leadership and confirmation that the 2025/2026 budget is finally funded,' Nair concluded. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Zululand gets R22 million for flood damage repairs
Minister of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa has announced a R139 million allocation to KwaZulu-Natal municipalities for disaster relief efforts. R13 million was allocated to Zululand District Municipality; Ulundi Local Municipality received R6.2 million; AbaQulusi Local Municipality received R12 million; and Edumbe Local Municipality received R10 million. Zululand District Municipality Mayor Michael Khumalo has welcomed the allocation. 'This additional funding will go a long way towards accelerating our efforts to mitigate disaster risks and put into place proactive measures. We pledge to utilise this grant promptly and follow procedures and protocols as established by the department to ensure accountability and transparency,' said Khumalo. The mayor added that the Zululand District has experienced unprecedented challenges due to heavy rains and flooding, which resulted in significant damage to water infrastructure and other public facilities. The combined funding of R22 million will be used for repairs to damaged water schemes, sanitation systems and other essential municipal services. He also urged residents to continue working together with the municipality to ensure that the recovery efforts are inclusive and transparent. This grant will be transferred in phases. The minister's office reported that the department is currently awaiting transfer dates from the National Treasury. CoGTA MEC for KZN, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has also welcomed the announcement, since municipalities in the province were impacted by incidents that caused billions of rands worth of destruction. He said this allocation is specifically earmarked for disaster response and recovery. The funds will provide much-needed relief to communities, facilitating the installation of new disaster mitigation measures and the improvement of roads, as well as water and sanitation infrastructure. This allocation also underscores the national government's commitment to supporting the province's ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts. ALSO READ: Zululand District Municipality elects new mayor The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Al-Imdaad Foundation joins G20 disaster risk reduction talks
The Al-Imdaad Foundation, led by Mr Abed Karrim, is part of the ongoing Third G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting from July 7-10. It is being held at the Sandton International Convention Centre in the City of Johannesburg Hosted by the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), the meeting is guided by South Africa's G20 presidency themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability. Also read: Mob goes on looting spree after truck crashes on N3 The priorities of the working group are also up for discussion, particularly exploring the following topics: – Priority 6: Ecosystems-based Approaches for DRR and Nature-based Solutions. – Priority 3: Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. – Priority 5: Disaster Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Furthermore, the meeting focuses on site events undertaken by the Working Group, offering practical and first-hand experiences of disaster risk reduction efforts spearheaded by the City of Johannesburg. Please follow us on our YouTube channel and do not be shy; please subscribe and comment as well. Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Government rejects Tshwane's disaster declaration request for Centurion sinkholes
The metro's request for national government intervention regarding Centurion's worsening sinkhole crisis has been rejected. MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, recently told Rekord the metro had formally submitted a request to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) on January 14 for the Clifton Avenue sinkhole to be declared a disaster. 'The submission came from the city's emergency services department, followed by an urgent intervention letter sent on March 25 to several officials.' She said the officials included the ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), and of Electricity and Energy, the Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure and CoGTA, and the CEO of Rand Water. According to Morodi, the NDMC responded on January 30. She said after evaluating the city's report, it concluded that while the sinkhole is severe, it does not meet the legal definition of a disaster under the Disaster Management Act and thus would not be classified as a national disaster. 'The city was advised to reprioritise its internal budget over a multi-year period to address the rehabilitation costs.' Despite this rejection, Morodi confirmed that the city remains committed to securing the help it needs. 'We're continuing to seek multi-stakeholder assistance to manage this crisis,' she added. She mentioned that the provincial CoGTA is currently working with the national department to compile a report for the MEC, which could lead to the sinkholes being classified as a provincial disaster. Morodi said that the metro has not received any funding or support from national government for sinkhole-related repairs. 'The Department of Roads and Transport is not aware of any support or funding being received,' she said. To reduce risks in the most affected areas, the MMC explained that many sinkholes are caused by leaking wet services in older suburbs like Lyttelton Manor, Valhalla, and Laudium. 'These areas are underlain by ageing infrastructure. As a mitigating measure, the city's regional and service departments can provide input to the response and repair of leaks and the upgrading of wet services to dolomite specifications.' This update comes after residents in Centurion raised alarm over their declining property values, road closures, and ongoing safety risks due to the growing number of sinkholes across the area. In Lyttelton, where some of the worst-affected sites are located, homeowners are watching the value of their properties plummet while dealing with the daily inconvenience of blocked roads and safety risks. Juan Dré, a resident of Burger Avenue, is among many who feel abandoned. 'Our property values have depreciated, so should we not pay less in property rates and taxes until the infrastructure has been repaired? 'I mean, nobody's going to buy a house if there's a sinkhole in front of it.' He noted that the sinkholes in the area also affect traffic. 'On Monument Avenue, there's a sinkhole. On Burger Avenue, there's a sinkhole. Both are blocking access.' Another resident, Stacey Smit, said the ongoing sinkhole crisis has left her feeling trapped in a home she can't sell and fearful for her family's safety. 'We invested our savings into this home, thinking it would be our forever house. But now, with a gaping sinkhole just metres from our driveway, we can't even get prospective buyers to consider it.' She said that they've lost value while the metro keeps saying they're working on it. 'We're tired of waiting.' Valhalla resident Stephen Le Roux shared a different concern. 'It's not just about money; it's the psychological toll. Every time it rains, we panic. What if the ground gives way again?' He said that there's a constant sense of uncertainty, and the city doesn't seem to grasp how this affects people over time. With residents voicing their grievances more loudly than ever, local PR councillor Wesley Jacobs has taken matters further. He spearheaded a petition to have a local state of emergency declared in Region 4, collecting about 3 500 signatures from concerned citizens. 'It was submitted on May 29,' said Jacobs. 'There was no response after submission. Eventually, they combined the petition with my motion and sent it to the mayor's office. Now, we are waiting for a comprehensive report on all petitions to be presented to the council.' Jacobs explained that the matter is now being stalled by administrative shortcomings. 'Apparently, the reason they can't even table my motion or approve it is because we don't have certain disaster management acts. We are not fully compliant,' he said. He noted that the provincial disaster management centre conducted an investigation and found Tshwane only partially compliant with the Disaster Management Act. 'Until we meet all requirements, we won't receive funding or directives from them. We were audited and found lacking,' Jacobs added. ALSO READ: Spike in vehicle theft at north shopping centres Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
