Latest news with #MunicipalDisasterResponseGrant
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
R1. 25 billion in disaster relief for Eastern Cape, KZN, and Free State municipalities
More than 100 people died and there was extensive damage to infrastructure and homes in flooding in the Eastern Cape. Image: Pedro Mapelo / I'solezwe lesiXhosa Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has warned municipalities to use disaster funds promptly and for their intended purposes and not to pay salaries or fund trips. He made these remarks during a briefing yesterday in Sandton where he provided information on the release of the funds following floods and heavy snowfall that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the severely affected Eastern Cape. A total of R1.255 billion has been allocated for the 2025/26 financial year with the funds to be released in phases. The bulk of the money, about R500 million will go to the Eastern Cape which suffered the most damage to infrastructure and homes. In KZN, R139 million in disaster relief grants has been allocated for 17 municipalities including the eThekwini Municipality, which suffered extensive damage in recent storms. In June, a total of 107 lives were lost due to disasters. Of these, 103 were in the Eastern Cape, three in KZN, and one in the Western Cape. In accordance with applicable legislation, business plans, and approved processes, the municipal disaster response grants will be transferred in phases during this month. The Department is currently awaiting transfer dates from the National Treasury, with preliminary dates set for July 11 and 18. The minister noted that the majority of the municipalities received the Response or Recovery Grant and the Municipal Disaster Response Grant in March 2025 and have not started implementing the projects. KZN municipalities that will benefit include: Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Zululand: R13m (in addition to R9m received in March 2025) Abaqulusi: R12m (in addition to R5.4m received in March 2025) Inkosi Langalibalele: R11m Newcastle: R11m (in addition to recovery and response grants allocated in March 2025) eThekwini metro: R9m (in addition to R8m and R1.4 billion previously allocated) Edumbe: R10m (in addition to R6.8m received in March 2025) He added that the Disaster Management Act highlights the importance of self-funding for disaster risk management, requiring state organisations to utilise their own resources for disaster interventions. In instances where public infrastructure is damaged, the relevant state organ bears the responsibility for financing the repair costs. 'With regards to disaster grants, adherence to Section 12 of the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) is crucial. The funds disbursed must be utilised exclusively for sanctioned purposes and may not be redirected to unrelated expenditures, such as employee travel,' Hlabisa stated. The minister said, 'We appreciate the efforts made to utilise the grants appropriately; however, we have identified several key areas of concern regarding their implementation. These include poor infrastructure planning and execution, inadequate workmanship, diversion or alteration of the scope of work, delays in appointing service providers that lead to municipalities underperforming, and the misallocation of funds towards operational matters instead of the designated projects." He also noted a significant lack of monitoring and contract management by implementing agents, as well as projects being underdesigned, which makes the infrastructure vulnerable to further damage. Zululand mayor, Michael Khumalo, welcomed the municipality's allocation. 'This will bring much-needed relief to the people of Zululand. The grant will go a long way in accelerating efforts to mitigate disaster risks. Zululand has previously experienced challenges due to heavy rain, which resulted in significant damage to water infrastructure. As the municipality, we pledge to utilise this grant promptly and responsibly by following procedures and protocols to ensure accountability and transparency,' he said. ActionSA MP Alan Beesley said it was imperative is that the funds are used promptly and in a cost-effective manner. "For far too long, disaster grants have been plagued by time delays and dubious procurement. Cogta must ensure there is proper accountability for these grants and that there are serious consequences when these grants are not used as intended.' KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said the allocation for the province followed applications from KZN municipalities which had been impacted by incidents resulting in damage that would cost billions of rand to fix.
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Reconstruction of Coedmore Bridge still on track
THE construction of the Coedmore Bridge project remains on track to be completed by mid-June, with some of the key components nearing completion. Also read: Coedmore Bridge: New completion date confirmed Nolwandle Gcaba, Ward 64 community liaison officer, said that much progress was made. 'The V-drains on Coedmore Avenue side are progressing, subsoil drains installed on both sides of the bridge, stormwater pipes and manholes installed on Yellowwood Park side, preparation of layer works continued, hinge columns to support abatements in progress and height restriction poles reinstatement has been confirmed,' said Gcaba. She added at this stage, completion is still expected around mid-June. The Coedmore Bridge suffered severe damage in the 2022 floods and motorists have had to use diversion routes that take as long as 45 minutes to navigate. The eThekwini Municipality allocated R48m for the rehabilitation of the two-lane 90m bridge with pedestrian walkways. The funding was made possible by the National Treasury's Municipal Disaster Response Grant. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Construction of Coedmore Bridge makes steady progress
AS the construction of Coedmore Bridge edges closer to the mid-June completion date, steady progress is being made on the project. Also read: Coedmore Bridge: New completion date confirmed Nolwandle Gcaba, community liaison officer for Ward 64, said that concrete barriers are being installed across the bridge. 'Earthworks are also in motion preparing for road works, site clearing in compliance with environmental requirements, and reinstatement of site has begun, V-Drains on Coedmore Avenue side have been poured and abatement B backfilling almost complete,' said Gcaba. The steady progress being made comes as a relief for residents following the completion date being pushed back. 'The official completion date was set for May 8, however, like on any construction project there are variations and delays such as rain delays. They are currently working on the schedule for an updated completion date which at this stage will be around mid-June,' said Gcaba. The Coedmore bridge suffered severe damage in the 2022 floods and motorists have had to use diversion routes that take as long as 45 minutes to navigate. The eThekwini Municipality allocated R48m for the rehabilitation of the two-lane 90m bridge with pedestrian walkways. The funding was made possible by the National Treasury's Municipal Disaster Response Grant. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
