Latest news with #KwaZulu-NatalDepartmentofCooperativeGovernanceandTraditionalAffairs
IOL News
02-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Hope for change: Msunduzi ratepayers welcome Simon Mndebele's leadership
Msunduzi Municipality Manager, Simon Mndebele and Mzimkhulu Thebolla, Mayor of Msunduzi. Image: Msunduzi Municipality Msunduzi Municipality ratepayer associations are looking forward to a fresh and effective approach from new municipal manager Simon Mndebele to turn the city's fortunes around. Mndebele, who was appointed as the manager on Friday, was described by Mzimkhulu Thebolla, Msunduzi's mayor, as pivotal to reposition Msunduzi as a municipality that is responsive, financially stable, and people-centred. Mndebele previously served as a technical support expert for Msunduzi Municipality, deployed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). Mndebele also served as municipal manager at Govan Mbeki Local Municipality and director in its Corporate Services department at Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality. 'In this capacity, he led the development of the municipality's turnaround strategy, conducted diagnostic analyses, and helped establish critical performance oversight structures. His in-depth knowledge of Msunduzi's operational landscape provides a solid foundation for decisive leadership from day one,' Thebolla said. 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 ✕ He added that with his leadership, Msunduzi aims to fast-track infrastructure development, improve basic services, strengthen financial controls, and restore institutional stability. Thebolla called upon all stakeholders to rally behind Mndebele and support his mission to lead a clean, capable, and service-driven administration. Jimmy Naidoo, chairperson of the Northern Areas Residents and Ratepayers Association (NARRA), stated that over the years, they have not had a municipal manager who has completed their term or addressed the core challenges that ratepayers face—particularly those related to billing systems, policy implementation, and credit control. 'We are hopeful that the newly appointed manager will take decisive and aggressive steps to fix the ongoing issues in the billing cycle. It is also crucial that accountability is enforced and that there are clear consequences for non-performance across all departments. We look forward to seeing whether he will bring a fresh and effective approach—one that finally delivers where others have fallen short,' Naidoo said. Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC) CEO Anthony Waldhausen is concerned that the Govan Mbeki municipality was issued with a disclaimer notice for three financial periods from 2017/2018, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020 by the Auditor General. Waldhausen stated that Msunduzi had a revolving door where municipal managers have not served their full terms of office. 'Did the selection committee for the municipal manager conduct a thorough due diligence report to ensure that no other red flags were missed? Since 2010, we have had over five municipal managers, some left with a cloud over their heads from supposed suspension, and then to have the suspension overturned or withdrawn,' Waldhausen said. Waldhausen called for a professional, effective, and competent municipal workforce that can provide service delivery and development to the citizens of Pietermaritzburg, but it must be free from any form of political interference and internal factionalism. The MARRC stated that they would work with Mndebele to turn the fortunes of Pietermaritzburg around for the better. 'We call on the mayor and council to allow the municipal manager to do his job without fear and favour,' said Waldhausen. Waldhausen said that MARRC submitted a discussion document on the White Paper on Local Government, calling for an overhaul of local government. 'One of the suggestions is to make the selection and appointment of the municipal manager and senior management positions to be done in the public space, and to have the selection and appointment of the municipal manager and senior management positions conducted in the public space,' he said.
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC warns against the weaponisation of governance in KwaZulu-Natal
ANC KZN PTT Co-ordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu says decisive action is needed to end instability in municipalities, tackle corruption, and rebuild public trust in local government through clean governance and accountability. The summit focused on the state of local government. Party leader Mike Mabuyakhulu stated during a media briefing on Tuesday, 'The delegates noted that there appears to be a very focused campaign to selectively target ANC-led municipalities when addressing allegations of maladministration or challenges in leadership, to the exclusion of municipalities led by ANC political competitors.' The ANC emphasised that while accountability is essential, the application of the law must be consistent across all municipalities. The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has raised concerns over the perceived targeting of its municipalities by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) . The issue was highlighted during the alliance summit meeting held this past weekend. Mabuyakhulu expressed that the posture of the KwaZulu-Natal Cogta is perceived as overtly partisan, with its executive authority leading the charge. He reaffirmed the party's commitment to clean governance at the local government level, stating that those found acting in contravention of the law should be dealt with decisively, irrespective of political affiliations. 'The summit further resolved that this selective and partisan approach in overseeing municipalities must be addressed as a matter of urgency,' he added. Mabuyakhulu acknowledged that the MEC of Cogta and the department have a legal responsibility entrusted to them by law. He urged them to execute their authority without fear or favour, but also stressed the need for consistency in the application of the law. 'Our concern is not about the application of the law; it is about the inconsistency in its application. We insist that no ANC-led municipalities should be deliberately targeted, as this undermines the consistent application of the law. We have raised this issue and will continue to do so in the GPU (Government of Provincial Unity),' he concluded. KZN Cogta was contacted but had not responded by the time of publication. THE MERCURY
The South African
19-05-2025
- Climate
- The South African
Cold front: Snow forecast in these parts of KwaZulu-Natal
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) says disaster management teams are monitoring an approaching cold front as snowfall has also been forecast. According to the weather service, two cold fronts will bring challenging weather conditions to large parts of the country, with cooler temperatures anticipated. High-lying areas of KwaZulu-Natal may experience snowfall on Wednesday, 21 May as a result. In response to the weather forecasts KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has placed disaster management teams on high alert. KZN Cogta said these teams are in communication with weather authorities and will continue to monitor the developing weather system closely. 'The safety and well-being of our residents are our priority. Our disaster management teams are prepared to respond effectively should any weather-related incidents occur,' Buthelezi said. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and pay close attention to weather warnings and updates as they are issued by the relevant authorities. The weather service said two cold frontal systems are expected to develop early this week (19-23 May) with a high likelihood of disrupting the current rainless and incident-free mild to warm weather condition that has been prevailing for some days. To this end, SAWS said it is closely monitoring these systems with the view to issue out weather impacts associated with the cold fronts across parts of the Western Cape province on Monday, 19 May through to Wednesday, 21 May, when strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected to spread to the south coast and the Eastern Cape. 'On Monday, 19 May, a cold front will make landfall over the south-western parts of the country, resulting in wet, cold, and windy conditions over the western parts of the Western Cape. While this system will not be intense, it serves as a precursor to the more significant weather system that will follow the next day. 'On Tuesday, 20 May, the above-mentioned weather conditions will spread to the east, affecting the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape. This continued impact of the weather conditions will be due to a well-developed cold front, resulting in isolated to scattered showers and rain,' SAWS said. 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.
