Latest news with #ProvincialLegislature
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Transforming KZN's approach to flood disasters for lasting change
The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in Pietermaritzburg Image: Shan Pillay KwaZulu-Natal Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) called for permanent solutions to address flooding and displaced families on Thursday. The MPLs were debating on a report tabled in March by Premier Thami Ntuli on communities in distress due to the province being engulfed by floods. There were also concerns about the KZN Department of Transport and Human Resources' purchase of the Montclair Lodge from Transnet for R33 million to house flood victims as one of their interventions. Blessed Gwala, IFP chief whip, said the refurbishment of the Montclair Lodge should be expedited to meet the December deadline. 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 ✕ He also called on traditional leaders to exercise greater responsibility when allocating land near riverbeds or flood-prone areas. According to him, municipalities should enforce existing by-laws to prevent high-risk developments. Gwala stated he was awaiting an update on the parcels of land earmarked for housing and emphasised that investments must be made in drainage infrastructure, as flood damage diverts crucial funds to disaster response. Hlengiwe Mavimbela, ANC MPL, warned that every cent allocated must go towards flood recovery and not for electioneering or inflated contracts. According to Wiseman Mkhize of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, inadequate drainage system upkeep and water catchment area management were the main causes of the floods. Marlaine Nair, MPL and DA KZN spokesperson on CoGTA, said the provincial government should shift from reacting to disasters to being prepared for them. 'Floods continue to devastate the same vulnerable communities in KZN. This is no longer simply a climate issue – it is a governance failure, more precisely at the local government level. Poor planning, underfunded infrastructure, and sluggish service delivery have turned natural hazards into human disasters,' Nair said. She said that one of KZN's biggest risks lies with its almost 1,000 informal settlements, often located on riverbanks, flood plains, or over pipelines. 'These are the result of housing backlogs and people seeking opportunity in the city, only to end up renting from shack-lords on dangerous land. Existing settlements must be made safer through proper upgrades.' Nair added that the municipalities must urgently assess the state of this infrastructure, clear maintenance backlogs, and allocate dedicated funding for ongoing repairs and upgrades. Hannah Lidgett, MPL DA, stated that the sustainability and strategic direction of disaster management systems must be interrogated. 'If our approach continues to be reactive rather than anticipatory, we risk repeating this cycle. Why are stormwater systems absent in flood-prone areas? We need planning and forward-thinking governance. We have a disaster strategy rooted in response rather than in resilience,' Lidgett said. Mongezi Twala, EFF MPL, said taxpayers' money was wasted by renting hotels for flood victims. He said people continue to live in poor and hazardous conditions. 'A lot of money is being released for short-term repairs and interventions, with R185 million spent on temporary accommodations, but there are no plans to build houses.' Themba Mabaso, an MKP MPL, stated that poor urban planning and inadequate waste management, and environmental degradation have worsened the impact and need to be addressed. Siboniso Duma, MEC for Human Settlements, said 1,200 families were living in temporary accommodations and that his department is accelerating the construction of houses for the flood victims. 'We are dealing with these issues daily,' he said. Premier Ntuli stated that MPLs had come forth with good solutions, adding that approximately 108 houses will be built in Cornubia as a permanent solution. 'We faced challenges with certain land parcels where residents were opposed to low-cost housing being built,' he said.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Saps vehicle repairs stall crime prevention in Gauteng, says DA
Lesufi confirmed that of the 372 mechanic positions across Saps garages in the province, only 262 are currently filled. A severe shortage of mechanics at Gauteng's South African Police Service (Saps) garages is hampering police visibility and crime prevention efforts across the province. According to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's written response to the questions posed in the Provincial Legislature, 110 mechanic posts remain unfilled at Saps vehicle workshops. DA Gauteng shadow MEC for community safety, Crezane Bosch, said that the unfilled posts result in long delays in repairing police vehicles. 'Vehicles often remain in garages without repairs for up to a year, leading to shortages of vehicles at our police stations. 262 positions filled Lesufi said the legislature confirmed that of the 372 mechanic positions across Saps garages in the province, only 262 are currently filled. Bosch said this situation could have been avoided if the vacancies were filled and the garages properly staffed. 'This is unacceptable and shows that the Lesufi-led government is not prioritising the protection of the people of Gauteng or addressing unemployment.' Bosch said the impact of the shortage is being felt on the ground, where police stations are left with few or no operational vehicles. 'The lack of vehicles directly undermines crime-fighting efforts and increases risks for our residents,' she said. ALSO READ: Teacher shortage deprives Gauteng pupils of these vital tech skills Call for urgent intervention Additionally, the DA member noted that families could have been fed if these vacant posts had been advertised, giving qualified individuals the opportunity to apply. 'There is no justification for leaving essential positions unfilled, especially when thousands of qualified individuals are unemployed and desperate for work,' Bosch said. The party says a DA-led provincial government would have prioritised filling the vacancies, improving operational capacity and creating job opportunities. 'This approach would not only strengthen law enforcement but also create valuable job opportunities for qualified mechanics,' she added. Bosch further criticised the Lesufi administration for failing at 'the most basic tasks' while touting high-tech initiatives like intelligent number plates. 'The people of Gauteng need functioning police vehicles before they can trust futuristic security plans,' she said. NOW READ: City of Johannesburg councillor allegedly used municipality's BMW X3 for political activities in KZN, says DA
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Is the R2 million Mpumalanga laptop scandal coming to an end? Premier Ndlovu promises transparency
Premier Mandla Ndlovu has announced that the investigation into the Mpumalanga Department of Education's controversial R2 million laptop purchase is approaching its conclusion. The acquisition of 22 Dell XPS 16 laptops, each costing R91,480, has ignited widespread outrage and raised serious concerns regarding government spending priorities and procurement practices. 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 ✕ During an oral reply session at the Provincial Legislature, Premier Ndlovu confirmed that the investigation is 'at an advanced stage' and that transparency would be ensured. 'Because of the seriousness of this issue, once the investigation is finalised next week, we will inform the public. In the interest of fair administrative justice, I urge you all to allow the investigation to be finalised without undue pressure,' said Ndlovu. The Premier emphasised the 7th administration's commitment to good governance, noting the importance of 'sound financial grounds' in state acquisitions. 'The decision is testament to the commitment of the 7th administration to the priorities, as set out in the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), one of which is the building of a capable, ethical and developmental state,' he said. IOL previously reported that the Department of Education has since confirmed the purchase, stating that the laptops were bought in December 2024 for employees within the Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teams. According to the department, 'Other officials whose operational responsibilities require high-performance computing equipment also benefited.' In a formal statement released Saturday, the department acknowledged the high cost of the devices but emphasised their importance to operations that include managing Office 365 accounts, supporting schools, troubleshooting, and handling real-time technical support. Tasks listed included resetting passwords via Active Directory, rebuilding accounts, and configuring multi-factor authentication. Despite speculation, Education MEC Catherine Dlamini was not involved in the procurement process. 'It must be emphasised that the MEC was not involved in the procurement process at any stage, nor did she receive any of the laptops in question,' the department clarified. 'By law, the MEC is not involved in any procurement processes. To implicate her or her office in this matter is both misleading and unjust and undermines the principles of fair and transparent administration.' In the Legislature, Dlamini confirmed she is still using a second-hand laptop issued to her upon taking office in July 2024. She acknowledged the steep price of the new laptops, stating that each would cost approximately R91,482.50. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province has called for swift and independent action. In an interview on Newzroom Afrika, DA member of the Mpumalanga Legislature, Annerie Weber criticised the expenditure, saying: 'It was shocking when the news broke. It's R91,480 per laptop. This is a really shocking state of events.' She questioned the necessity of such high-end laptops for departmental use, stating that more affordable models could have sufficed. 'The department went by a Polo, which they needed, but they actually bought a Rolls-Royce.' Weber added, 'This is an exuberant amount of money. It's a waste of expenditure. In a province where we have more than 1,700 vacant positions and there's no money to fill these positions, it is not acceptable to spend two million rand on laptops.' She also raised concerns over whether the purchase adhered to State Information Technology Agency (SITA) guidelines, which are intended to ensure government equipment is certified and cost-effective. 'SITA is very, very important to ensure that we don't buy fake or weak equipment for our government institutions.' The DA has pledged to push for accountability and will seek confirmation on whether the procurement was SITA-compliant, as well as whether the hardware matched the department's actual needs. The final report from the investigation is expected to be released in the coming week.
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
R3. 2 billion transport budget unveiled as Cape Town grapples with traffic problems
Cape Town's crippling traffic congestion has been thrust into the spotlight with the unveiling of a bold R3.2 billion budget by Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku, aimed at transforming the province's transport system and putting residents at the heart of long-term mobility planning. Addressing the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Sileku said the budget prioritises public transport expansion, rail recovery, and safer communities, describing mobility as 'a basic human right and the lifeblood of the Western Cape economy". Cape Town, now ranked the 9th most congested city in the world, sees its residents lose an average of 94 hours per year in traffic, a situation Sileku said the department is urgently addressing. 'We are putting our money where our mouth is,' he declared, referencing the soon-to-be-finalised Provincial Land Transport Framework, which will be opened up to public input. The province is also boosting public transport access, with major investment in the Go George bus service, which already serves 75% of households in George and makes over 21,000 passenger trips daily. 'We are stepping up to connect communities,' said Sileku. 'This budget is about more than transport, it's a catalyst for economic growth and job creation.' Progress is also being made on reviving the long-defunct rail system. The Khayelitsha line is currently undergoing live testing, with Mitchells Plain next in line. 'This is a great win for the province, particularly for the residents of Khayelitsha, who were left with limited public transport options for more than five years,' said Sileku. Minibus taxis, which transport 1.5 million people daily in the province, are set to benefit from targeted support, including training and conflict resolution initiatives. In rural areas like the Central Karoo, the province is working to improve intertown travel and access to essential services. 'A functional public transport system encompasses passenger rail as its backbone while being supported and complemented by bus services, minibus taxis, e-hailing taxis and non-motorised transport. All these modes of public transport are vital for daily commuting,' Sileku said. Additional investments include R113 million toward the Integrated Transport Hub, R60 million for electric vehicle infrastructure, and R2 million for road safety ambassadors in high-risk areas. Bicycle distribution will continue in rural areas, helping residents, learners, and workers reach their destinations. 'We are stepping up for the economy and our residents,' said Sileku. 'This budget reflects a government that listens, plans boldly, and delivers with purpose.' Cape Argus
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town's traffic woes in the spotlight as Province unveils R3. 2 billion transport budget
Cape Town's crippling traffic congestion has been thrust into the spotlight with the unveiling of a bold R3.2 billion budget by Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku, aimed at transforming the province's transport system and putting residents at the heart of long-term mobility planning. Addressing the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Sileku said the budget prioritises public transport expansion, rail recovery, and safer communities, describing mobility as 'a basic human right and the lifeblood of the Western Cape economy". Cape Town, now ranked the 9th most congested city in the world, sees its residents lose an average of 94 hours per year in traffic, a situation Sileku said the department is urgently addressing. 'We are putting our money where our mouth is,' he declared, referencing the soon-to-be-finalised Provincial Land Transport Framework, which will be opened up to public input. The province is also boosting public transport access, with major investment in the Go George bus service, which already serves 75% of households in George and makes over 21,000 passenger trips daily. 'We are stepping up to connect communities,' said Sileku. 'This budget is about more than transport, it's a catalyst for economic growth and job creation.' Progress is also being made on reviving the long-defunct rail system. The Khayelitsha line is currently undergoing live testing, with Mitchells Plain next in line. 'This is a great win for the province, particularly for the residents of Khayelitsha, who were left with limited public transport options for more than five years,' said Sileku. Minibus taxis, which transport 1.5 million people daily in the province, are set to benefit from targeted support, including training and conflict resolution initiatives. In rural areas like the Central Karoo, the province is working to improve intertown travel and access to essential services. 'A functional public transport system encompasses passenger rail as its backbone while being supported and complemented by bus services, minibus taxis, e-hailing taxis and non-motorised transport. All these modes of public transport are vital for daily commuting,' Sileku said. Additional investments include R113 million toward the Integrated Transport Hub, R60 million for electric vehicle infrastructure, and R2 million for road safety ambassadors in high-risk areas. Bicycle distribution will continue in rural areas, helping residents, learners, and workers reach their destinations. 'We are stepping up for the economy and our residents,' said Sileku. 'This budget reflects a government that listens, plans boldly, and delivers with purpose.' IOL News
