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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.
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN government tables R1. 9 billion budget aimed at revitalising local governance and driving economic growth
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, tabled the R1.9 billion Vote 11 Budget Policy Speech for the 2025/26 financial year. Image: KZN Cogta The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has unveiled a transformative R1.9 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, crucially focusing on strengthening local governance, supporting traditional leadership, and stimulating economic activity throughout KwaZulu-Natal. MEC Buthelezi underscored the provincial government's commitment to revitalising local governments, stating emphatically, "We are reviving the Back-to-Basics programme as central to local government within our province." This declaration serves as a pivotal reminder of the administration's aim to ensure effective service delivery and responsive governance at the municipal level. A notable feature of this budget is the allocation of R397.5 million to Programme 2: Local Government. This significant funding is set to empower municipalities across the province, equipping them with the necessary resources to enhance their operational capacity and effectively address the challenges faced by local entities, all while building on previous achievements. As part of a strategic approach to economic development, MEC Buthelezi also unveiled an ambitious initiative comprising 11 catalytic projects aimed at stimulating economic activity within each district and the metropolitan area. These projects, orchestrated by the Provincial Project Management Unit (PPMU), are designed to generate growth and development tailored to the unique characteristics of their respective regions. Among the key projects earmarked for implementation in the current fiscal year are: Ulundi Electrification Upgrade Project : An allocation of R56 million will fund the refurbishment of two electricity network switching stations, alongside the Babanango electrification project, directly benefiting 105 households. : An allocation of R56 million will fund the refurbishment of two electricity network switching stations, alongside the Babanango electrification project, directly benefiting 105 households. Nkandla Electrification Project : With R15 million earmarked, this project will provide electricity for the first time to communities within the Nkandla Local Municipality across Wards 4, 11, and 6, impacting 100 households. : With R15 million earmarked, this project will provide electricity for the first time to communities within the Nkandla Local Municipality across Wards 4, 11, and 6, impacting 100 households. AbaQulusi Electrification Projects : A total investment of R42 million will be directed towards two key projects: R26 million for the Mabhula project in Ward 4, benefiting 260 households, and R16 million for the Madanyini project in Ward 2, aiding 150 households. : A total investment of R42 million will be directed towards two key projects: R26 million for the Mabhula project in Ward 4, benefiting 260 households, and R16 million for the Madanyini project in Ward 2, aiding 150 households. Endumeni Infrastructure Upgrade: An investment of R3.7 million will facilitate the installation of two solar high mast lights and a borehole at Wasbank in Ward 7, significantly enhancing essential community services. In addition to these catalytic projects, the Department has earmarked R377.9 million for Programme 3: Development and Planning. This funding aims to foster sustainable growth by focusing on regional development and spatial integration, ultimately unlocking the potential of KwaZulu-Natal. The KZN COGTA's 2025/26 budget reflects a robust commitment to fortifying local governance, empowering communities, and spearheading sustainable economic development across the province. Through strategic investments in vital projects and programs, the department aspires to cultivate a more resilient and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal for all its citizens. IOL
