Latest news with #KwaZulu-NatalCooperativeGovernanceandTraditionalAffairs
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. 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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
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
IOL News
28-04-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Umlazi mudslide: Families to be relocated after devastating disaster
Families whose homes were destroyed by a devastating mudslide in uMlazi, south of Durban, are set to be relocated, KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has announced. Cogta in a statement said Buthelezi engaged with the Mnguni, Madondo, Mazibuko, and Msomi families on Saturday morning following the mudslide incident, which occurred on Friday, in Ward 85, in uMlazi's P Section. The disaster, triggered by heavy rains, led to the collapse of five formal houses and displaced 16 people. Six people were injured during the incident. Three, who were initially discharged after treatment for minor injuries, were later sent for further medical examination after reporting ongoing pain. One person sustained major injuries. Speaking after meeting the affected families, Buthelezi said: 'We are deeply concerned by the events in this area. As a department, through the Cogta Disaster Housing Programme and in collaboration with our partners, we are committed to providing prompt support to communities across the province.' Buthelezi confirmed that discussions had begun with Inkosi Cele, of eNgonyameni, to facilitate the relocation of the families. 'It is evident that their current location is no longer safe and faces the risk of further instability,' he said. The families had initially been moved to a nearby shelter by municipal emergency services. In response to the broader risk, Buthelezi instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Centre to work with the eThekwini Metro to conduct a full evaluation of the area. Aerial footage had revealed signs of structural damage to other houses nearby, raising fears of more potential collapses. 'We have commenced assessments to determine the extent of the damage, not only to assist those already affected but to prevent further tragedies,' he said. Buthelezi also emphasised the need for multi-departmental support, stating that frontline departments, including SASSA and Home Affairs, would assist families who lost crucial documents. Among those affected is a Grade 12 learner who lost her school uniform and study materials. Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality said the financial impact of the damage from Friday's heavy rain was still being assessed, and further updates would be provided as emergency teams continued their work. THE MERCURY
