Latest news with #Buthelezi
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Co-operate with forensic investigation or face the music, Cogta MEC tells Msunduzi municipality
KwaZulu-Natal co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has warned Msunduzi municipality to co-operate with his investigation into their finances or face the consequences. Buthelezi launched forensic investigations into Msunduzi, Nongoma and KwaDukuza municipalities in March after allegations of fraud and corruption and in the wake of the auditor-general's findings. 'While investigations at KwaDukuza and Nongoma are at an advanced stage, the Msunduzi municipality has refused to co-operate with the investigation,' Buthelezi said on Tuesday. He has written to the Msunduzi municipality, placing it on terms to co-operate or face the consequences of non-co-operation with a statutory investigation. 'We are resolute in our commitment to enforcing good governance and accountability in all KZN municipalities and will not hesitate to act without fear or favour in the interest of residents and ratepayers.' Buthelezi said his action is mandated by the Municipal Systems Act, which stipulates an MEC is obliged to conduct an investigation after maladministration, fraud and corruption allegations. Auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke found R6bn in unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in several municipalities. Buthelezi said the investigations will specifically address allegations of abuse of municipal assets, elevated levels of political instability, political interference in procurement processes, deficiencies in consequence management, contraventions of supply chain management regulations, irregularities in recruitment procedures, maladministration, fraud and corruption. Nongoma municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal is plagued by allegations of corruption which resulted in the recent arrest of mayor Mshangane Ndabandaba, his deputy Sabelo Nkosi and speaker Babongile Sithole. All are out on R5,000 bail. In KwaDukuza, mayor Ali Ngidi was accused of using the mayoral back-up van to take his children to school. Despite several interventions including placing it under administration several years ago, Msunduzi continues to fall short of financial protocols. The municipality told TimesLIVE it would comment later.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tangible local economic development support for amaKhosi
In a bid to foster economic independence within traditional leadership, a Local Economic Development Support Programme was held last week. Conducted by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the programme was hosted in Ilembe District. The initiative involved the distribution of essential equipment designed to enable amaKhosi and their families to contribute to local economic development. A total of 35 amaKhosi from across Ilembe District received support from Mandeni, KwaDukuza, Ndwedwe, and Maphumulo municipalities. Speaking at the handover, MEC Buthelezi reiterated his commitment to seeing amaKhosi, as key figures, play a leading role in rural development. Each iNkosi was provided with a mobile fridge, a 200-seater A-frame tent, and 100 chairs. 'This equipment will assist them in providing certain services within their communities and during government events, which aims to cultivate a greater sense of financial autonomy for amaKhosi and their households,' said Buthelezi. As a further component of the programme, Buthelezi presented catering equipment to each wife of amaKhosi, including a variety of pots, a three-plate industrial gas stove, serving dishes and plates. KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders chairperson Inkosi Sifiso Shinga expressed appreciation on behalf of amaKhosi in the province. 'We have observed your dedication, you consistently follow through on your commitments. 'We were with you in December when you conducted this programme in uMkhanyakude, and today you have returned to this district as you indicated you would. As amaKhosi, we are grateful for the continued support you provide to this institution,' said Inkosi Shinga. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
24-06-2025
- IOL News
Mining operator fired for vulgar language during safety meeting
The Labour Court has determined that the foul language used by a mining operator during a safety meeting, warranted him being fired. Image: File Vulgar language used by a mining operator during a "Brother's Keeper' safety meeting towards a female colleague had cost him dearly when he was fired, and that ruling was now endorsed by the Johannesburg Labour Court. Siyabonga Buthelezi turned to the court in a bid to get his job back, as he said being fired was too harsh under the circumstances. Buthelezi had told the female employee during the meeting that she was talking 'f…s…'. This took place in front of a number of other employees from other departments and sub-contractors. Buthelezi worked for AEL Mining Services at the time and was an operator in the bagging department. The workplace safety awareness training was presented by a safety practitioner, only identified as Ms Z Mmboneni. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed, and Mmboneni explained it, after which questions were invited from attendees about the issues raised in the presentation. However, some employees from the bagging department began raising questions concerning plant issues, which were not related to the presentation. Mmboneni responded by saying the meeting was not the right forum to address those issues and asked them to curtail these questions. The meeting turned volatile, and some workers left. Buthelezi raised the need for a separate gathering room so that they could discuss these issues. Mmboneni suggested that the issues should be discussed during a plant meeting. According to Mmboneni, Buthelezi started raising his voice, and she reiterated it was not the forum to discuss issues not pertaining to the safety meeting. It was at that point that Buthelezi said what she was saying was 'f…s...' while looking directly at her. She said a shop steward then rebuked Buthelezi and told him to apologise to her, which he did not do. 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 ✕ Mmboneni said she believed that if the shop steward had not intervened, he would have continued to insult her. She recalled someone else who tried to stop him using vulgar language but could not identify the person. According to her, there was a reaction from the meeting when Buthelezi uttered the objectionable words. She testified that she had felt embarrassed by being threatened and insulted in front of employees and contractors at the meeting. The bagging shed manager, who was an attendee at the meeting, gave a similar version of the events to that given by Mmboneni. Buthelezi denied being angry or raising his voice, but he agreed that Mmboneni was not responding to the questions raised. He wanted to say the showers at the plant where they were working were 'f…dirty' but decided not to finish what he was going to say because he realised he might have been perceived as rude when he used the swear word 'f…'. He disputed that anyone had tried to close his mouth or that the shop steward had apologised on his behalf. Following an internal hearing, Buthelezi was fired for using vulgar language. His dismissal was confirmed during arbitration proceedings. It was not disputed that on either version, Buthelezi's use of vulgar language was unacceptable.
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Cogta MEC demands clarity from eThekwini Municipality on R30 million matter and legal costs
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi. Image: KZN Cogta / Facebook The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has written to the eThekwini Municipality, demanding a full breakdown of the costs related to the legal matter between the eThekwini Municipality and company, Daily Double Trading. In the letter, MEC Buthelezi stated that the expenditure, especially on litigation regarding this matter, was reckless. The eThekwini Municipality and Daily Double Trading have been involved in a protracted legal battle that was finally resolved by the Constitutional Court about a week ago which dismissed the City's appeal against an earlier ruling. At the centre of the dispute was a settlement agreement entered into between the company and officials of the municipality. Daily Double Trading had been one of the service providers for the municipality. However the municipality terminated the contracts it had with the company. The company challenged this decision in court, and an out of court settlement was then agreed upon between the officials of the municipality and the representatives of Daily Double Trading. The settlement was worth about R30 million. Later, the municipality attempted to disown the settlement agreement, arguing that the officials who authorised it had no power to do so. However the company challenged this in court and the court found in the company's favour. The municipality fought the matter all the way to the Constitutional Court, which dismissed the City's application for leave to appeal the judgment that had found in favour of the company. This ruling means that the City is now liable to pay approximately R30 million of the original amount and R23 million in interest. 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 ✕ Ad Loading In his letter, MEC Buthelezi said, "A report is requested within 7 days, providing the total contractual losses suffered and the total legal costs incurred by the City in defending this matter, which proceeded to the Constitutional Court and was dismissed with costs." "Such a report should also clearly indicate what disciplinary action is being taken by the City. Furthermore, it must outline the oversight taken by the council in embarking on this reckless and costly litigation," said the letter. The MEC's letter comes after the City held a media briefing last week to discuss the court case and other legal matters. At the meeting, senior City officials said an employee who issued an illegal instruction to offer the settlement will be dealt with. THE MERCURY
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
KZN dealing with severe weather destruction: infrastructure and homes damaged
A screengrab taken from a video shows the snowfall in Kokstad on Tuesday. Image: Supplied by Greater Kokstad Municipality There was damage to infrastructure, homes and power outages across parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday due to the severe weather conditions. In a disaster management update on Tuesday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, warned that the situation remains serious. 'As the inclement weather continues, we can confirm that six of our eleven districts have been affected, with moderate to severe disruptions recorded by our disaster teams,' he said. Power outages are widespread. According to Eskom KwaZulu-Natal, there were electricity outages across the province. Impacted areas included Empangeni, Melmoth, Mtubatuba, Ulundi, Hluhluwe, Jozini, Nongoma, Eshowe, Bergville, Ladysmith, Ixopo, Kokstad, Cedarville in the Eastern Cape, Franklin, Umzimkhulu and Harding. 'Public infrastructure, especially electricity lines, has been severely affected. In some areas, power lines were damaged by snow and strong winds, which left residents and businesses in darkness,' Buthelezi added. Eskom noted that restoration efforts are underway but were hampered by road closures. 'We understand the inconvenience and frustration this situation causes and appeal to our customers for patience and understanding.' 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 ✕ In Kokstad, municipal officials confirmed around 3pm on Tuesday, 'Full restoration of electricity in the CBD and surrounding townships. Outstanding areas without power include the route to Pakkies Farm and Ekuthuleni, and the route to Makhoba Trust via Franklin.' Access to several key routes remains difficult. 'Several roads, particularly in the far south of the province, remain closed due to heavy snowfall, making driving extremely dangerous,' Buthelezi said. Roads closed include N2 Ingeli, R617 Kingscote, R56 Droewig and N2 Nolangeni. 'All access roads into Kokstad are currently closed.' Gale-force winds uprooted trees in Montclair on Tuesday. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Buthelezi said that disaster management teams remain fully activated. 'Immediately after receiving [weather alerts], we developed a comprehensive disaster management plan, working closely with various stakeholders to minimise the impact and, most importantly, to save lives.' Since the weekend, teams have responded to numerous incidents. 'Ugu District, in the south of the province, has been the hardest hit. A number of households, schools, and public infrastructure have been severely damaged by strong winds,' he said. In Umuziwabantu Municipality, 'strong winds and hailstorms damaged 47 households, affecting 277 people. A total of 50 structures were totally destroyed, while 29 were partially damaged. Fourteen people were left homeless. Three injuries were reported due to structural collapse.' Four learners from a high school in Harding were injured after strong winds blew away part of the school's roof. Two learners were rushed to a local clinic, while the other two were taken to St Andrews Hospital for further treatment. Other schools in the province also sustained infrastructure damage. 'At Taylors Primary School in Taylors Halt, a roof was blown away, disrupting learning activities. At Wohlanga Primary School in Mooi River, significant portions of roofing were also torn off by the strong winds.'In addition, 28 households were left roofless after strong winds damaged their homes in Mooi Mpofana Municipality in the KZN Midlands, where disaster relief teams have provided emergency supplies.
