Latest news with #KZNMECforTransportandHumanSettlements
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Stapleton Road contract terminated over failure to deliver
THE KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has instructed the head of the department to accelerate the termination of the road construction contract on Stapleton Road due to the contractor's failure to deliver. In a statement responding to the Highway Mail's enquiry that the ongoing delays on the construction project included financial issues, the MEC said the contractor had 'failed to deliver' despite the extensions which had been granted. Duma also said over the past 400 days in office, he had 'unfortunately' received complaints from the public about prolonged construction on the road. The MEC said this termination comes after the construction was inspected, weekly progress meetings were held, and support was given to the contractor. Also read: Ongoing delays on Stapleton Road include financial issues 'The Head of the Department, Siboniso Mbele, has been mandated to accelerate the termination process. The intention and notice to terminate was issued on the 04 July 2025. The contractor was given 14 days to substantially increase progress, failing which the termination process would begin. Sadly, there has been no improvement; hence, we are proceeding with termination. The department is currently re-measuring incomplete works and will start drafting a tender document for appointing a new contractor to complete the project,' said Duma. The MEC said the contractor is expected to continue working until the termination process is finalised and is expected to ensure that the road is safe before moving off site. 'As an elected public representative, I must be accountable to the people of this province and take the people of the province into confidence in some of the challenges the department faces. A lot of blame, at times rightly so, has been placed at the feet of the department as the custodian of public transportation. However, the reality is that we have contractors who are failing to honor their contracts. It is for these reasons we are acting firmly as the department. 'Critically, we wish to announce that as of today onwards, we will be implementing punitive measures to ensure that we recover monies from those contractors who have abandoned road construction projects and those who will fail to complete projects on time. This is a demonstration of our firm commitment to ensure that taxpayers' money is not misused,' said Duma. The road – P577-02 which runs along the M5 between Cowie's Hill and New Germany, linking the M13 to the M19 – was handed over to the contractor on June 9, 2023. About R87.8m was set aside for the rehabilitation of the road where construction began on August 2, 2023, with the initial completion date set for May 24, 2024. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
The Citizen
17-06-2025
- The Citizen
Video: Forensic review of dismembered remains confirms 10 died in Vryheid crash
'A trail of destruction… innocent lives lost, and the lives of many families have been turned upside down.' These were the words of the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, following a horrific crash near Vryheid in KZN. The Witness reports that after a forensic review of dismembered remains, it was confirmed that 10 people died in the collision. Duma confirmed the death toll after visiting the crash site, hospitals and mortuaries. He said poor visibility in the early hours of the morning contributed to confusion and an initial miscount of casualties at the scene. The devastating accident, involving a bus and a truck, occurred on the R34 near Vryheid in the early hours this morning. The EFF confirmed that the victims were members returning from the party's June 16 Youth Day rally in Umlazi. The party said it is working closely with authorities to identify the deceased and support affected families. According to the Department of Transport, the 10 deceased include seven males and three females. 'Thirty-three passengers sustained minor injuries and were able to walk, three were injured but not critically, and two are in critical condition. The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the Dundee Mortuary. Both the bus and truck drivers survived and are receiving medical attention in hospital,' says Duma. The Road Traffic Inspectorate and the SAPS is conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. 'Conflicting survivor accounts have surfaced, with some alleging the bus driver attempted to overtake, while others claim he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. We do not want to speculate at this stage. We are confident the investigation will provide clarity,' Duma adds. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
11-06-2025
- IOL News
Investigation launched after three young lives lost in KwaZulu-Natal aircraft tragedy
A light aircraft that vanished on Sunday over KwaZulu-Natal skies was found on Monday with all three passengers confirmed dead. The Piper Cherokee, which departed from Virginia Airport around 3pm, was operated by a student pilot. The young victims of the tragic incident have been identified as 23-year-old student pilots Nqobile Biyela and Lulama 'Lwazi' Msane, along with 20-year-old medical student Siphesihle Buthelezi. "We wish to inform the people of KwaZulu-Natal that we are in touch with the families of the two pilot students and a medical student who died tragically following the crash of their light aircraft," said KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma. "It is sad that, during Youth Month, we lose the lives of dedicated and intelligent young people who were destined to take the aviation and healthcare industries to the next level."
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- The Citizen
Three people killed, 12 injured after bus plunges off KZN bridge
A preliminary report revealed that the bus plunged off the more than 50 m bridge in Maidstone Road. At least three people have been killed and twelve others injured after a fully-laden bus plunged over a bridge in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The bus accident happened on the R102 near Maidstone Sugar Mill in the Tongaat area on Tuesday morning. A preliminary report revealed that the bus plunged off the more than 50 m bridge in Maidstone Road. Bus crash IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Kelsey-Jae Merick said emergency workers are still at the bus crash scene, and the R102 has been closed to traffic. 'Reports from the scene so far indicate that at least three people are deceased and twelve have sustained serious injuries in the bus accident. 'The scene is still active and we urge motorists to use alternate routes as the R102 in that area is currently closed,' Meyrick said. ALSO READ: Man dies after fire guts shack in Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni Condolences KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Armstrong Duma's spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said the department was saddened by the bus accident. 'We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the bus crash. Equally, we wish those who are injured a speedy recovery. In our interaction with traffic anchor Ayanda Msweli, most roads in the area have been affected, especially around Gopalall Hurbans Road. 'We urge motorists to be patient as the scene is still active. Saving the injured, and recovery processes are underway,' Sibiya said. Durban crash Meanwhile, three people have been injured in an accident on the M4 near the Virginia off-ramp, North of Durban. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said the accident happened just before 7 am on Tuesday morning. Jamieson said paramedics arrived on the scene to find 'carnage' as they found two badly-damaged vehicles obstructing both sides of the highway. 'Three occupants from both vehicles had sustained critical injuries, and immediately, Advanced Life Support Paramedics worked to stabilise them on the scene. Due to the severity of one of the injuries, the Air Mercy Aeromedical Helicopter was called to assist in rapidly transporting the patient to the hospital. 'The highway was closed whilst emergency personnel worked to clear the scene. Two patients were transported by ALS Paramedics to hospital for further care that they required,' Jamieson said. Jamieson added that the events leading up to the crash is unknown, however police were on scene and will be investigating further. Eastern Cape crash On Sunday, two people died and four others sustained injuries in a crash involving two vehicles: a Corsa bakkie, a Mahindra XUV, and a motorbike. The accident occurred on the N2 just outside East London towards Kei Bridge. Eastern Cape provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the cause of the accident is being investigated. 'It is not yet clear how the accident occurred, but the bakkie caught fire after the impact and the passenger died on impact along with the biker,' Binqose said. 'The driver of the bakkie and three occupants of the XUV sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital in East London. 'It is believed that the Corsa bakkie, which was carrying a motorbike on its back, and the deceased biker were travelling together,' he said. ALSO READ: RTMC team deployed to probe deadly Eastern Cape crash
The South African
02-05-2025
- Climate
- The South African
KZN floods wreak havoc, prompting 56 households to relocate
After homes collapsed due to heavy flooding in Umlazi's Section H, 56 households are urgently relocated to safer ground. The floods, which struck on 25 April 2025, left widespread destruction across the township. Several residents were rushed to hospitals and clinics. Tragically, one member of the Madondo family died after a house collapsed in P Section, according to the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Armstrong Duma. Other areas include Chicago in the AA section, the J Section, and Ward 78 near KwaMgaga High School, where homes were destroyed, leaving residents homeless and vulnerable amid ongoing rain. The MEC announced plans to visit affected communities and offer condolences. In a statement issued by the Ethekwini Municipality on 2 May, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and her team visited the area. She emphasised the need for a long-term solution, stating: 'Based on what I have seen, relocation of these households would be the best solution. 'Based on what I have seen, relocation of these households would be the best solution,' said Minister Simelane. While the assessment is conducted, the immediate task is to relocate about 56 families to Temporary Emergency Accommodation. The Ethekwini municipality further reported that affected households will be given permanent housing on land provided by the City and the Provincial Department of Human Settlements. In addition to evaluating house delivery, the leadership also went to the Thubalethu Informal Settlement Project in Mthonjaneni. To support recovery efforts, R19 million has been allocated for water infrastructure construction in the region, with an additional R61 million earmarked for bulk water services, according to the statement issued by Ethekwini Municipality. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
