Latest news with #Impendle
The Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Bail delay for four accused of hit on DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu
Bail proceedings for four men charged with the murder of DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu suffered another setback on Friday when the magistrate was booked off sick. The matter was set down for the official bail application in the Howick magistrate's court. Traditional leader of the Nxamalala tribal authority in Impendle Inkosi Simphiwe Eric Zuma, 55, Masobho Hlongwa, 31, Khayelihle Shabalala, 31, and Thabo Mathonsi, 26, are charged with murder. A fifth accused, Zwelithini Buthelezi, 43, turned state witness. Deputy director of public prosecutions advocate Lawrence Gcaba said they had learnt about the magistrate's absence when they arrived in court. Gcaba asked that the matter be postponed to August 22. This will coincide with the sitting of another pending matter which Zuma is facing, where he is alleged to have killed iNduna Qalokunye Zuma on January 23, 2023. He was released on bail of R25,000 for that matter. DA leader Francois Rodgers who attended the hearing was disappointed it was postponed. Stand-in magistrate Helene Wilkins said she had received several applications from the media to be allowed to film and photograph court proceedings. She said she would not make the determination and instead hand the matter over to the magistrate who would preside at the next court sitting. 'This will be canvassed at the next court date,' she said. The defence, including advocate Sthembiso Mdladla representing Zuma, has objected to the media requests while the state has no objections. Ndlovu was shot dead outside his home, in front of his wife, two children and a nanny. His family have since abandoned the home outside eMpophomeni. The accused were emotionless during the short proceedings, a sharp contrast to a previous appearance during which Zuma, who is related to Ndlovu, cried in the dock. When the matter was adjourned Zuma greeted several people seated in the public gallery. Outside court the prime minister of the Nxamalala tribal authority, Tallman Zuma, could not hide his disappointment about the delay over bail. He is among Zuma's fierce backers and deputy convener of the MK Party in the region. 'We have been left in limbo. Some of the affairs of the rural community have stalled because of inkhosi's absence. Though we have his subjects in the lower rung of the community structures where things are smooth, a problem comes when issues sometimes have to be escalated to inkhosi,' said Zuma. TimesLIVE
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Legislature's new initiatives for informal traders
The KZN Economic Development and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) awarded R900,000 to Impendle for the construction of 18 galvanised steel vendor stalls. Image: Supplied Informal trading infrastructure projects were the point of focus at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Tuesday. The Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Committee met with the Impendle and Msunduzi municipalities for project updates. The KZN Economic Development and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) awarded R900,000 to Impendle Municipality for the construction of 18 galvanised steel vendor stalls. The project provided alternatives to containerised structures and provided dignified trade spaces. The municipality stated that the project improved the image of the CBD and brought some confidence in the recognition of informal trade. In its report, the Impendle Municipal Infrastructure for Informal Enterprises (MIE) had spent R877,000 to supply, deliver, and erect market stalls. The project closeout phase is expected to be completed on August 30, 2025. Satishrai Bhanprakash, IFP MPL, raised concerns about the long-term maintenance plans for the structures, which he feared would be open to theft. The municipality stated that it did have a maintenance plan and that the metal structures were galvanised and durable. The committee also called for better oversight and proper details on invoicing. Also discussed was the construction of 15 brick and mortar structures for the Inzinga\ KwaNxamalala Trading Units project, which received R2.1 million from EDTEA in the 2022/23 financial year. According to Impendle Municipality, the Inzinga settlement is mapped as a secondary node on Impendle's spatial development framework. The node already has schools, a sports field, a primary clinic, and a tribal court. The area is missing commercial service. "This application aims to close this gap. The implementation of this project will help in the strategic objective to bolster area area-based management plan. The idea is to provide options so that they don't have to travel to the Impendle CBD for minor day-to-day needs," the report stated. The implementation was delayed due to limited funding in 2024\2025 with a funding agreement concluded in December 2024. Work is expected to start in August 2025 subject to the finailisaton of a lease agreement with the Ingonyama trust. Shontel De Boer, a DA MPL, said she was not happy with the reports when the committee conducted an oversight in Impendle. 'The report lacked details. We asked alot of questions at the meeting and we were promised a detailed report to make a decision. This report is also too vague,' she said. Mafika Mndebele, the chairperson of the committee in the legislature, urged the municipalities to do all they can to ensure that the projects are implemented. Phindile Zondi, the Msunduzi Municipality manager of Economic Planning and Infrastructure, spoke of the redevelopment of the Ematsheni Development Services situated on Retief Street in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. They received R3 million from EDTEA while the municipality invested R1 million. Zondi said the site was previously developed as a beer hall, which further supports the proposal, which is to enhance informal traders and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). 'In 2017, the site was demolished and mobilised for funding. Vagrants moved onto the property and undertook illegal activities. With the funding, we changed the narrative. It is expected that a contractor will be appointed during August 2025 to commence with the implementation of Phase 1 of the project,' Zondi said. The site establishment is expected to commence in September 2025 for nine months. [email protected] The redevelopment of the Ematsheni Development Services situated on Retief Street in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. The project is estimated at R4 million. Image: Msunduzi Municipality
News24
26-06-2025
- Business
- News24
‘We truly value your patience': Two KZN municipalities fail to pay salaries on time
As the municipal elections edge closer, the state of dysfunction in KwaZulu-Natal municipalities is worsening, and unions are getting frustrated. At least two municipalities weren't able to pay workers' salaries on time in April, May and June. When this happens, the municipalities also fail to pay their workers' medical aid, pension funds and other benefits. First, the ANC-led Impendle Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal failed to pay salaries on time in April and May. Now, another of the province's local municipalities, IFP-led Jozini, has also failed to pay workers their June salaries on time. Impendle begged the National Treasury to fund workers' salaries last month after the two entities had a 'misunderstanding' over funds, according to a labour source who isn't authorised to speak to the media. According to the source, the Treasury had taken some unspent funds from the municipality, which resulted in the non-payment of salaries. The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs confirmed this in a statement last month. This month, Jozini looks set to approach Finance Minister Enoch Godongwanaʼs office with a cap in hand. On 23 June, Jozini municipal manager Sipho Bhekisizwe Nkosi wrote a letter informing municipal workers they wouldn't receive their salaries on their usual payment date - just a few hours before payday. 'We sincerely apologise for this inconvenience. Please rest assured that we are actively working to resolve the matter and we expect salaries to be credited before the end of the first week of July 2025,' Nkosi said. 'We truly value your patience and continued dedication during this time.' Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi's office was asked why there is a growing trend of paying workers late. His spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, hadn't responded to the query at the time of publishing. Meanwhile, Impendle workers also suffered the same inconvenience when they were told on 28 May their salaries due on 29 May were being deferred. Later that day, Buthelezi announced a last-minute 'breakthrough in the financial challenges' faced by Impendle, which allowed municipal workers to receive their salaries the next day. The money paid on 29 May also paid outstanding funds owed to third parties, such as medical aid, pension funds and Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions. In a statement, SA Municipal Workers Union regional leader Mafika Mshengu said the workers' salaries were also delayed in April. ALSO READ | NSFAS paid ex-administrator Freeman Nomvalo R5.5m, while fired CEO got R3.2m Buthelezi's office said in a statement that it had sent a senior team of officials to meet with the Impendle leadership to conduct a 'thorough examination of the municipality's financial health'. 'The objective of the meeting was to address the critical issue of unpaid May salaries for municipal employees and to ensure the municipality's ability to meet its financial obligations. 'During the productive engagement, a range of viable options were explored to enhance the municipality's financial standing. 'These measures are designed to restore fiscal stability, enabling the municipality to honour all its commitments to its workforce, who had not received the full portion of their May salaries.'
News24
17-06-2025
- Climate
- News24
Spirit of ubuntu shines through after rural KZN community was left reeling by storm
Sakhiseni Nxumalo/News24 Over 100 homes were destroyed in Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal, as severe storms battered the region, leaving families without food, clothing, shelter or electricity. Many residents live in poverty and in mud-brick houses, which collapsed under the harsh weather conditions. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and minister Velenkosini Hlabisa visited the affected areas, launching emergency relief efforts while local disaster teams assist with temporary shelter, food parcels and clean water. Ubuntu was on full display in the rural community of Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal, as neighbours stepped in to shelter and feed each other after more than 140 homes were destroyed by a severe storm. Mud homes collapsed, roofs were blown off, and families were left without shelter, water or electricity in the aftermath of the disaster – and it was the spirit of human solidarity that became the first line of response. Last week, the extreme weather conditions in KwaZulu-Natal caused damage to 138 schools in 12 districts. This prompted some schools to halt exams as teachers waited for the provincial education department to assess the damage. According to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, more than 400 homes have been affected by the recent inclement weather conditions which hit parts of the province for two days this past week. Ntuli said no lives were lost. In Impendle, which is 48km west of Pietermaritzburg and 37km north-east of Bulwer, more than 140 houses were affected, with over 58 completely collapsed. However, stricken residents, many already living in poverty, found comfort in one another's support while waiting for formal relief efforts to reach them. 'This thing (storm) took us by surprise. We thought it was a normal wind because almost every year around this time we experienced heavy wind. To our surprise, the wind was way too strong, and it was only after it had passed that we realised it had damaged so many houses,' said Vusumuzi Nyembe, a resident in the area. Nyembe told News24 that many families were left homeless and had their food, clothes and other vital items blown away. Sakhiseni Nxumalo/News24 Sakhiseni Nxumalo/News24 He said residents had been able to find shelter through unaffected neighbours who welcomed them into their houses. 'There is one family where there are two children around 20 and 16, but they don't have parents, and they stay alone. Their house was the only thing that they had left, and now they have nothing,' said Nyembe. Many of the homes are mud brick houses. The bricks are made by mixing sand and water. This is out of necessity due to widespread unemployment and extreme poverty in the community. 'We've been unemployed for years,' said Nyembe. 'There are no jobs here. We had no choice but to use mud to build because we couldn't afford cement. These structures are not safe, yes, but what can you do? You can't stay outside,' he said. READ | Disaster teams 'working round the clock' after strong winds and snow hit parts of KZN Isabel Mazibuko recounted how the wind blew part of the roof off before shaking the walls of her home until the entire structure collapsed last Tuesday. She said when the walls started shaking, she took one of the children who is disabled to a neighbour's house. 'It all happened so fast. The house had five rooms, and it accommodated all of us. We are just glad that we have another room available to house some of us (family of 12). Others sleep at the neighbour's house and come back in the morning,' said Mazibuko. Sakhiseni Nxumalo/News24 Sakhiseni Nxumalo/News24 The lack of stable employment and economic opportunities in Impendle has left most residents unable to rebuild their homes straight away. 'At first, we thought it was just passing like it always does, so we didn't panic. But within minutes, the roof was gone, and it landed in our neighbour's yard,' said Bizelweni Ndlovu. Ndlovu, 47, said the walls of her home then collapsed, and there was nothing they could do but watch. Her voice shook as she pointed to the ruins. 'As you can see, the roof was still new and had been renovated just two months ago, and this happened. It's sad because I don't have a place I can call home. I'm hoping that the government will assist us,' said Ndlovu. On Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Velenkosini Hlabisa visited the area. According to Hlabisa, their aim was to assess the scale of the damage and lead emergency relief efforts. Local disaster teams have been activated to assist displaced residents with temporary shelter, food parcels and access to clean water. Many, however, remain without electricity or basic sanitation. Hlabisa said: We are grateful to God that in this area, even though they experienced severe damage, no life was lost. It's sad, yes; lives are important and cannot be replaced. We are also very much appreciative to community members who came together, housed those who were affected and provided food. Hlabisa said he had engaged Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, her provincial office and other government departments. He said they would compile a report after assessing the extent of the damage, after which it would be sent to the national Cogta department for the affected areas to be declared disaster areas. 'The Department of Human Settlement will quickly move in to assist by providing temporary housing for the affected families. There have been over 100 food vouchers and food parcels that will be distributed to the victims,' he said.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Dispute with the National Treasury is affecting salary payments in Impendle Municipality
The Impendle Local Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands said a dispute with the National Treasury led to its failure to pay its employees their full salaries. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The Impendle Local Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has blamed the failure to pay salaries to its employees on time on a financial dispute with the National Treasury. It stated yesterday that its funds had been erroneously taken by the National Treasury and that had resulted in the municipality failing to pay workers' salaries and benefits in full and on time. Approximately 100 employees have been affected by the payroll issue, but the municipality claimed yesterday that the matter has now been resolved with the National Treasury. However, councillors have expressed concerns and said, based on meetings they had with the municipality's management, the municipality is in deep financial trouble. They allege that it has been borrowing monthly to pay wages and that this is the second time in as many months that there have been issues with salary payments. In response, the council denied that it was borrowing monthly to pay wages. It also disputed claims that it is in dire financial straits, stating that this was a one-off problem as a result of the dispute with the National Treasury. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Zakhele Tshabalala, municipal manager, stated: "We want to assure our employees that the municipality's management is actively working to resolve this issue. We are taking immediate steps to address the root cause of the delay and ensure that salaries are paid as soon as possible. To this end, we are currently engaging with the National Treasury and other relevant stakeholders to expedite the process." However IFP councillor in Impendle, Sadewu Ngubane claimed the situation is dire. "We are having to borrow money just to pay salaries each month. We have been told that part of the problem is that there is a grant of about R11 million that went back to the National Treasury after the municipality failed to spend it." Ngubane noted that the problems have been ongoing since November. Last month, there was a similar issue in which wages were not paid on time. He explained that the administration had gone to the bank to borrow money, but outstanding documents prevented the bank from processing the application. After submitting the documents, the money was paid two days later. "This time around, employees received a notice from the municipal manager on Friday, the day they were supposed to be paid, stating that they would not be receiving their salaries. At a meeting on Saturday, they were informed that the bank had demanded a letter from the National Treasury as assurance that money would be deposited into the municipality's account. As it stands, they are still working on that, and the workers have not been paid. "The situation in this municipality is quite serious. Looking at these developments, it is clear that even the banks are reluctant to lend the municipality money because they realise it is in a dire financial situation. "As we speak now, the municipality is essentially closed; only security personnel are present, and the workers are staying away," Ngubane said. He added that the MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) must intervene. "The argument that some grant was taken away, causing the municipality to spiral financially, does not make sense." "We need a financial expert to be brought in because even if the treasury makes a deposit, in a few weeks or a month, we will be back in this situation because the financial problems that cause all this would not have been solved," he said. DA councillor Thami Sithole agreed that a financial expert had to be brought in. Sithole is a councillor in another municipality but has been deployed to lead the party's constituency in Impendle. "We are going to be asking for a deep investigation into what happened and action to be taken against those that led to this situation," he said. Cogta said yesterday that after its deployment of senior officials to the municipality, a resolution had been reached and workers were expected to be paid today. THE MERCURY
