Latest news with #MECforTransportandHumanSettlements
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Speedsters arrested on N2 Park Rynie
The recent arrests of a lawyer and auditor for excessive speeding has sent a strong message to motorists to abide by the law. The MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, commended the Park Rynie Road Traffic Inspectorate team for the arrests last Saturday. Her urged them to sustain the 'Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense and Alufakwa campaign' on roads. As reported by the department, the lawyer was travelling from Umtata on the N2 at Park Rynie. He was arrested driving 222km/h in a 120km per hour zone. 'The accused failed to stop, and the RTI team chased after him and apprehended him,' said Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for the MEC. Police confirmed that the man was charged according to the National Road Traffic Act and released on bail of R3000. Later that day, an auditor from Reservoir Hills was arrested for driving 177 km/h. This was on the N2 northbound near Ellingham. Police confirmed that he was charged accordingly and released on bail of R1500. Sibiya said that a third motorist was also arrested that day for driving 178km/h. 'These arrests send a clear message that nobody is above the law, however, we must hasten to point out that professionals such as the lawyer and auditor should know better,' said Duma. 'Speedsters and reckless drivers are causing so much suffering and socio-economic struggles for many individuals and their families. In our interaction with many families of victims of road crashes, we hear stories of job losses, disability and families being ripped apart.' 'In addition, reckless drivers are behind the vicious cycle of socio-economic problems and decline in the quality of family lives. As the department we affirm our commitment to ensure the safety of road users.' HAVE YOUR SAY Like the South Coast Herald's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Bridge delays drag on
It has been two weeks since repairs to the Mzimkhulu River bridge came to an abrupt halt. Emergency repairs were supposed to run for six months but, with delays and issues in trying to close the river mouth, the October deadline does not look like it will be met. Leon Garbade (DA councillor in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality), said the ongoing issue of unpaid contractors, who have understandably ceased work, only serves to exacerbate an already dire situation. He said that observing the bridge, and what is labelled a construction site under Siboniso Duma's (MEC for Transport and Human Settlements) oversight, reveals a disheartening lack of progress with little to show, even during periods of contractor activity. 'We stand with the affected communities and demand immediate action from the Department of Transport (DoT) to revive this project and others that have similarly faltered. It is time to stop placing blame elsewhere and to focus on getting the government's house in order,' said Garbade. Nazir Shaikh, chairperson of the North Cluster Ratepayers' Association, said the operations of the DoT throughout the South Coast have ceased, including on Marine Drive. 'Regrettably, the public remains inadequately informed. An inspection of the bridge on Monday last week revealed an absence of workers and that construction machinery had been removed from below the bridge. In addition, the condition of the P464 roadway is deteriorating daily, with motor vehicle breakdowns and accidents occurring on a weekly basis,' he said. Meanwhile, Duma said in last Friday's Re-tabling of Budget speech that of the R13b budget, the DoT would need between R1.1b and R1.2b on a monthly basis to pay service providers. This applies to contractors who are responsible for the maintenance and construction of more than 54km of road networks on the South Coast. He said that the migration with regards the accounts payment system had given problems due to technical glitches, resulting in delays in the payment of invoices. Duma explained that currently, the DoT is getting only R800m from the provincial treasury and last month only received R560m. In short, it means ensuring payment to service providers within 30 days is not currently possible. Duma said the DoT would continue to engage with the provincial treasury to consolidate gains and address this challenge, in particular. 'The department has internalised the fact it will be blamed for not paying invoices, despite having enough budget,' he said. 'This has affected all government departments and the matter is being managed collectively. We have also briefed the Auditor General.' The spokesperson for the DoT, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, explained that the main aim for the bridge project now is to divert the water from pillar two to pillar eight, which has taken more than three months. 'Once closure of the mouth is concluded at pillar two the project will intensify.' HAVE YOUR SAY Like the South Coast Herald's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
IOL News
30-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Transport MEC terminates R87. 8 million road contract due to delays
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma has terminated a road construction contract due to the contractor's failure to deliver, citing prolonged delays and public frustration. Image: SUPPLIED KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has terminated a road construction contract for failure to deliver, citing prolonged delays and public frustration. Duma has confirmed the termination of a contract for the construction of road P577-02, which links Cowie's Hill and New Germany to the M13 and M19. The R87.8 million contract was awarded to a contractor on 9 June 2023, with work beginning on 2 August 2023. The project was due to be completed by 24 May 2024. However, more than 14 months later, Duma said the contractor had failed to make adequate progress despite receiving support, oversight, and deadline extensions. 'We have taken a decision to terminate the contract,' Duma said during a media briefing at Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House on Tuesday. 'In the past 400 days of his tenure, I have been receiving complaints from members of the public about prolonged construction.' Duma said a notice of intention to terminate the contract was issued on 4 July 2024, giving the contractor 14 days to show significant progress or face cancellation. 'Sadly, there has been no improvement,' he said. The provincial transport department has now begun re-assessing the incomplete works and will start drafting a new tender document to appoint a replacement contractor. In the interim, the current contractor is expected to continue work until formally removed and must ensure road safety before demobilising. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Head of Department Siboniso Mbele has been tasked with fast-tracking the termination process. The department did not indicate how much had already been paid to the contractor. Duma said the department would no longer tolerate delays that inconvenience residents and undermine public trust. 'A lot of blame, at times rightly so, has been placed at the feet of the department,' he said. 'However, the reality is that we have contractors who are failing to honour their contracts.' He also announced that the department would begin recovering funds from contractors who abandon projects or fail to complete them on time. 'This is a demonstration of our firm commitment to ensure that taxpayers' money is not misused,' Duma said. The department has not named the contractor but confirmed that punitive measures would be implemented in future to prevent similar delays. THE MERCURY
IOL News
25-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Invaded land: families hopeful they will soon visit the gravesites of loved ones
One of many gravesites of persons from the community that died as early as the 1940s. Image: Supplied THE families of those who were buried in the Seaview Cemetery are hopeful they will soon be able to visit the gravesites of their loved ones, after the land was invaded by informal dwellers more than 20 years ago. Some of the make-shift homes were built on top of gravesites. Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, said graveyards were sacred places and should be respected. He said the department was in the process of profiling the informal dwellers with the aim of relocating them. 'Our hearts are with the families of the departed souls that should be resting in peace in the cemetery. We recall that residents were forcefully removed from the area as a result of the Group Areas Act. Under a democratic government, they must be allowed to reconnect with their loved ones,' said Duma. 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 ✕ Informal dwellings have been erected next to or on top of gravesites at the Seaview Cemetery. Image: Supplied He said Max Mbili, the head of department, department officials, and a team of community based workers were in the process of profiling people living in the cemetery. 'While we understand that people are moving from far-flung areas to eThekwini in search of socio-economic opportunities and that there is a shortage of houses and land. We call on communities to respect the departed soul. Cemeteries are sacred places where the dead must be allowed to rest in peace. 'We now want to establish the identity of the people there, whether they received houses in the past in Welbedacht and sold them or rented them out. We also want to ensure that only South Africans are registered as per the government policy.' Duma added that the department supported the upcoming National Dialogue, which was spearheaded by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 'We will need to have our own dialogue in Seaview, Chatsworth, and uMlazi, among other areas. We must work together to ensure we allow families in the area or those who have graves on farms, and were forcefully removed, can go back to the graves to honour the deceased and connect with their heritage. Many former residents that were forced to leave their childhood homes for Chatsworth, due to the Group Areas Act, said they were unable to visit the gravesites due to restrictions at the time, and later the building of informal dwellings. Krishna Naidoo, 85, said the cemetery, initially known as the Seaview Vishnu Cemetery, was opened by his grandfather's uncles. 'They came to South Africa as businessmen, and not as indentured labourers. They formed the Seaview and District Hindoo Cemetery Trust and requested the authority of the city council to use the land as a burial ground in the late 1930s. 'They also used their own money to build the Seaview Shree Vishnu Temple, which was later demolished during the Group Areas Act. 'The cemetery is where my grandparents and brother were buried. There were also many other family members that passed on before the Group Areas Act that were also buried. 'I still remember it had a big gate and the sign 'Seaview Vishnu Cemetery' on it. We used to pass the cemetery on the way to school every day. We also cleaned the graves, put flowers and did prayers.' Naidoo said he had not visited the cemetery since being moved from the area. 'When we were able to freely move around again, it was difficult and unsafe to go to the cemetery as people began building shacks. We have had gatherings of old residents in the area, but we look at the cemetery from a distance. 'However, if they can remove those people who have illegally settled in the cemetery and clean it up, I would be happy. I also wish I could be buried next to my loved ones,' he said. Moonsamy Moodley, 78, said his father and several other family members were buried at the cemetery. 'I am left deeply saddened to see the state of the cemetery. We used to visit at least once a week to clean the graves, and sometimes put flowers if it was a special occasion. 'However, while it is not right to build houses on graves, I can understand that people have become desperate for homes or some type of shelter. I hope they will now get proper homes. We will hopefully be able to pay our respects to our elders again soon,' he said. Lalanthra Dass, 64, said her grandfather and his brother were buried at the cemetery. 'With the assistance of one of the residents, my father and I last visited the cemetery about four years ago. It was disappointing to see the condition, especially the damages to many of the gravesites. I can only hope that once the people are removed, the cemetery will be restored and maintained.' Gopaul Pillay, 77, wants to visit his mother's gravesite. 'My mother died when I was just a year old. I never had the chance to meet her and for many years I have not been able to go back to her resting place. There have been many occasions when I just wanted to drive to the area and visit the cemetery, but was told it was not safe. Now I have hope that we will be able to go to the cemetery.' Khaleel Kazi, a resident for the past 73 years and a community activist, said: 'The African understanding of ancestral worship is profound. You give dignity to these souls (the deceased) and sanctity to the hallowed burial ground. Therefore, what we have seen happen at the cemetery reflects the level that people have been let down and what they have had to resort to doing. 'It is a sad indictment on the leadership and promise in the document called The Freedom Charter, which, to a large extent, laid the foundations of our Constitutional understanding of Human Rights. 'The Department of Human Settlements now has this task of relocating these informal settlers. However, it must be noted that there is no shortage of land. The area around the cemetery is in the hands of the state and has remained vacant after the forced removal of Indians from the area and the expropriation of land. Why not use the land to build proper homes?' he said. THE POST
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Toddler among two killed in Kennedy Road Settlement fire
Kennedy Road Informal Settlements face persistent challenges with fires and natural disasters. Bandile Zulu and Nonhle Mbango, victims of Kennedy Road Informal Settlements fire. Image: Collage/ SUpplied/ MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma. A 19-month-old baby and a 25-year-old woman died in a devastating fire that swept through Kennedy Road Informal Settlements, destroying 122 shacks. According to officials, the blaze originated from a burning candle. The victims have been identified as Bandile Zulu, the 19-month-old baby, and Nonhle Mbango, 25, who had recently buried her father just weeks before the tragedy. Government response to Kennedy Road Informal Settlements fire KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said he engaged with Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane to coordinate emergency assistance for affected families. 'We wish to report that a roving team involving officials from the national Department of Human Settlements, the provincial Department of Human Settlements, and the eThekwini Municipality is already working out a plan to speed up the delivery of building material,' Duma said. The MEC confirmed that officials from his office have already met with the bereaved families. 'We send our deepest condolences to Zulu and Mbango families. May the departed souls rest in peace,' he stated. According to Duma, relief efforts awaited the completion of verification processes by disaster management teams from eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). ALSO READ: 'His brother is not coming back': Heartbroken mother speaks after toddler dies in Pretoria tent fire Extended family notification Duma indicated that authorities are prioritising communication with extended family members in distant areas. 'At this stage, their focus is to ensure that extended families in Mount Frere and Umzimkhulu are properly informed about the tragedy,' he said. The MEC is working alongside Ward 25 Councillor Themba Mkhize to assist families with burial arrangements for their loved ones. Recurring disaster pattern and relocation challenges Kennedy Road Informal Settlements face persistent challenges with fires and natural disasters. 'Kennedy Road Informal Settlements are always affected by fires and natural disasters such as floods,' Duma noted. The MEC expressed concern about settlement patterns despite previous relocation efforts. Many residents who were originally relocated to alternative areas returned to the informal settlement. 'Critically, we remain worried about the fact that residents who originally lived there were relocated to the newly built houses in Waterloo and double-story homes just across Kennedy Road,' Duma stated. During a recent meeting with Minister Simelane and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, officials agreed on stronger enforcement measures. The leadership consensus focused on implementing bylaws to prevent people from reoccupying or renting shacks in the area. ALSO READ: Six-year-old Limpopo boy shot in the head by stray bullet Urban migration realities Despite enforcement challenges, Duma acknowledged the broader socio-economic factors driving the growth of informal settlements. People continue to migrate to eThekwini and other secondary cities in search of economic opportunities. 'These are realities that we are grappling with,' he said. MEC spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed the government's multi-level response to the tragedy. The spokesperson emphasised that building material delivery plans are already underway, pending final verification by the disaster team. READ NEXT: George building collapse 'was entirely preventable' – report
