Latest news with #StrategicIntegratedProjects
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN councillor and wife implicated in alleged corruption on R29bn N3 highway upgrade
Investigation reveals corruption allegations against local politician linked to N3 highway upgrade in Msunduzi Municipality Image: Facebook An exclusive investigation by IOL has uncovered disturbing allegations of corruption and financial misconduct involving a local politician and his wife, linked to the multi-billion rand N3 highway upgrade - a critical infrastructure project connecting Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The investigation suggests that a Chinese joint venture company, Base Major Joint Venture CSC, may be complicit in illicit dealings that jeopardise the integrity of the project. The Msunduzi segment of the N3 upgrade forms part of a broader initiative to enhance approximately 79.3 kilometres of freeway - a key route facilitating trade and mobility in South Africa. Valued at nearly R29 billion, the project aims to ease chronic congestion, improve safety, and enhance economic integration from Durban to inland regions. It is aligned with the government's Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs), designed to spur economic growth and create jobs. However, behind the scenes, controversy appears to be mounting. Multiple sources have implicated local politician Sibusiso Mkhize, a councillor in the Msunduzi Local Municipality, and his wife, Nkule MaKhuzwayo Mkhize, in a scheme to siphon off funds via illicit payments. According to insiders, Mkhize - appointed by Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla to serve on the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) - allegedly solicited and received bribes from contractors working on the project. Some workers involved in the N3 upgrade have also raised concerns about intimidation and suppression, fuelling suspicions of high-level corruption. 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. 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Three electronic receipts, reviewed by IOL, reflect transactions of R169,000, R100,000 and R30,000 - all referencing 'G7 Base Major,' presumed to be linked to the joint venture company. Sources allege these payments have continued since the project's inception, with a regular monthly payout of R25,000 purportedly directed to Mkhize's wife. The revelations raise serious concerns around conflicts of interest, abuse of office, and potential kickbacks on a public-funded project. When approached for comment, Councillor Mkhize declined to respond, citing legal advice. His wife, Nkule MaKhuzwayo Mkhize, demanded the identities of IOL's sources, questioned the publication's legitimacy, and invoked privacy rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). She refused to provide further comment despite multiple requests. Absa spokesperson Carli Cooke confirmed that the account belonged to MaKhuzwayo Mkhize, lending credence to the allegations. IOL also contacted municipal authorities. Eunice Majola, speaker of the uMsunduzi Municipality, said the matter would be referred to the Rules and Ethics Committee for investigation. Mayor Thebolla acknowledged the gravity of the allegations, clarifying that Mkhize had been a municipal representative on the PLC but was replaced two months ago. 'These allegations do not reflect well on the municipality,' he said. 'Let's first agree this is a Sanral project. The municipality has no access to operational details. We merely nominate a council member to represent us. I recently nominated someone else to replace Councillor Mkhize.' Sanral, the national roads agency overseeing the project, confirmed it was investigating the matter. 'Sanral takes these claims very seriously. We are reviewing the situation and will communicate our findings once the investigation is complete,' said spokesperson Lwando Mahlasela. The N3 upgrade involves 15 work packages at a projected cost of R29 billion. It aims to create around 33,500 jobs, prioritising local labour, and channel R8.8 billion to black-owned enterprises to foster inclusive growth. The upgrade involves expanding the freeway from four to six lanes between Camperdown and Ashburton and eventually to eight lanes at the interchanges. IOL Politics
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Will Ramaphosa's R1. 3 trillion infrastructure investment transform South Africa's economy?
With 250 projects worth R238 billion, Ramaphosa says infrastructure is the 'flywheel' for growth, pledging faster approvals and streamlined partnerships to boost public and private sector collaboration nationwide. Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to infrastructure development as a central pillar of economic growth and social upliftment. During his address at the 2025 Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) on Tuesday, Ramaphosa emphasised the nation's achievements and outlined strategic plans to enhance infrastructure investment, aiming to unlock South Africa's full development potential. Ramaphosa pointed to the growing pipeline of Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs), stating: 'The capital value of the Strategic Integrated Projects has grown from an initial R340 billion in 2020 to over R1.3 trillion in 2025.' He said this massive pipeline is driven by strong public and private investment, aimed at stimulating inclusive growth, reducing inequality, and preparing the country for the African Continental Free Trade Area. 'Infrastructure is the flywheel that our economy needs to boost growth and to create jobs,' Ramaphosa said, highlighting the central role infrastructure plays in the country's economic recovery. He noted that public infrastructure investment over the next three years will exceed R1 trillion. The 2024/2025 Construction Book, released by Infrastructure South Africa, includes 'around 250 construction projects with an estimated value of more than R238 billion,' marking the largest ever investment of this kind in South Africa. These projects encompass various sectors, including roads, energy, water, logistics, and social infrastructure. Ramaphosa stressed the need to mobilise private capital through improved public-private partnerships. He said: 'Some of the reforms we are focusing on will make it easier for public-private partnerships under the value of R2 billion to gain approval.' He said these reforms are designed to reduce procedural complexity, make infrastructure delivery faster and more predictable, and provide investors with long-term certainty. Highlighting the role of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), Ramaphosa said: 'Over the last five years, more than three-quarters of all requests to Infrastructure South Africa to unlock permits, authorisations and licences were successfully resolved.' 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 ✕ 'When Infrastructure South Africa is involved, it takes just 85 days on average for permits, licences and approvals to be issued by regulatory entities.' Ramaphosa cited successful completed projects such as 'the Hazelmere Dam wall raising project in KwaZulu-Natal', which has increased water security, and 'the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Power Plant near Postmasburg in the Northern Cape,' which he said 'now supplies clean energy to more than 400,000 people a day and to over 100,000 households each year.' He also highlighted the Infrastructure Fund, stating: 'Since its inception, the fund has packaged around 26 blended finance projects across several sectors, with a capital value of approximately R102 billion.' 'Through this model, we are de-risking projects and unlocking capital from pension funds, commercial banks and international financiers.' Turning to continental cooperation, he praised the work of the SIDSSA Leaders Forum, saying: 'By bringing together our collective expertise and political will, we strengthen the foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa.' He urged continued focus on infrastructure-led development, stating: 'We must place infrastructure at the heart of our development agenda, not only as a tool for economic growth and social development, but as a symbol of our great ambition and our hope for a better future.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Deputy President Mashatile convenes the Water Task Team
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has today, 08 April 2025, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, convened a meeting of the Water Task Team, comprised of the Ministers responsible for the Departments of Water and Sanitation, COGTA, Finance, Human Settlements, Public Works and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Police, Electricity as well as Land Reform and Rural Development. The meeting took place following a successful Water and Sanitation two-day Indaba hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation, which received inputs from President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Mashatile, Ministers as well as Representatives of Water Boards, Management Agencies, SALGA, Traditional Leaders, Civil Society and sector experts. Today's meeting received presentations from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Infrastructure South Africa. Issues discussed included measures and interventions by the departments to work towards resolving the challenges of water and reticulation. In particular, the meeting noted issues such as the non-payment for water services, lack of effective reticulation, declining infrastructure and capacity challenges at the local government level. The meeting then agreed to intervene within the prescripts of existing legislation, also directing that all budgetary allocations for water in various departments be pooled together to ensure effectiveness. An update was also received on ongoing work under the Strategic Integrated Projects initiative by Government to create water retention facilities as well as enhancement of water treatment plants. The Water Task Team also resolved after discussion to accelerate the formalisation of informal settlements, which will assist with the provision of services to residents. This applies to 4 076 illegal settlements who use illegal means to connect to water. Furthermore, it was agreed that all incomplete water projects must be completed and to that effect, the meeting requested departments to review their turn-around times on water projects. The meeting then proposed a structured mechanism for effective coordination in the form of the following workstreams: Workstream 1 - Responses to water supply disruptions in prioritised areas, Workstream 2 - National and Municipal water institutional reforms, Workstream 3 - Accelerating private investment in municipal water services, (through the Partnership Office) Workstream 4 - Improving municipal sanitation services and management of wastewater, Workstream 5 - Improving turn-around time in regulation and funding, Workstream 6 - Institutional reforms (led by COGTA, SALGA, DWS&Human Settlements, and Workstream 7 – Communication. Deputy President Mashatile commended the work and interventions of the various departments in the area of water supply and preservation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
