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IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Transforming KwaZulu-Natal: MEC Sibuniso Duma's achievements in housing and transport
MEC Siboniso Duma looks back on his 400 days in office, heading the Human settlements and Transport portfolio in KZN Image: Supplied Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma characterised his first 400 days in office as a significant leap forward, which aligned with the key implementation of the Freedom Charter's principles. Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Duma reflected on the collaborative efforts with traditional leadership, successful housing initiatives, and ongoing challenges within his departments. One of the crowning achievements Duma noted was the strengthened relationships with traditional leaders across KwaZulu-Natal, which came about through frequent engagements that ensured local support for government projects aimed at disaster responses. 'The Amakhosi have agreed to make land available for our responses to disasters,' Duma stated, which pointed to an important collaboration for future endeavours. Duma revealed that the Human Settlements department fully subsidised 7,976 homes, which positively impacted communities and ensured that over 900 building sites were established for public use. 'We built 5,030 houses for rural residents and provided homes for 464 vulnerable individuals, while also registering 1,638 title deeds for community members,' he added proudly. 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 Among the department's highlights, Duma lauded the acquisition of Montclair Lodge from Transnet for R33 million. This facility, which was set to be repurposed into government-owned transitional emergency accommodation for flood victims, featuring 268 rooms and a capacity for 600 individuals. The lodge was anticipated to house flood victims, from December 2025 or January 2026, which would provide a strategic response to seasonal flooding threats. 'This historic milestone will greatly reduce reliance on private facilities for emergency accommodations,' Duma explained, expressing optimism for the future. On the transport front, Duma announced a landmark investment of over R13 billion for developing the province's infrastructure, enhancing public transportation, and enforcing road safety in the upcoming financial year. This investment was not about roads only; but was a crucial portion of the government's broader plan to tackle poverty and inequality. However, Duma mentioned that a harsh reality was the department's budget constraints. Despite a monthly requirement of R1.1 billion to pay service providers, the department recently received only R800 million and, in the previous month, R560 million. 'This means our vision for a 30-day payment turnaround will be compromised,' he lamented, promising to engage with Provincial Treasury for a resolution. Seeking to stimulate local economies while addressing the needs of residents, Duma expressed his commitment to tackling delays in housing construction. 'We've reduced blocked housing projects from 68 to 15,' he said, while also addressing persistent local opposition to new development initiatives. 'There is a need for community understanding; the Not in My Backyard syndrome continues to hinder progress.' Despite these challenges, Duma emphasised the importance of partnership with religious and traditional leaders to create inclusive conversations around government programmes. Through prayer days and various forums, he aimed to empower communities to monitor the effectiveness of resources directed to them. 'We have noted the need to join hands; while we invest heavily in infrastructure and service delivery, engagement with the community is vital to ensure these resources reach those in need,' he concluded. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Scatec clinches preferred bidder status for R13bn solar cluster in Free State
The project, known as the Kroonstad PV cluster, is expected to operate under 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), ensuring a steady supply of sustainable energy once completed. Image: Supplied Norway-based renewable energy group, Scatec ASA, has been awarded preferred bidder status for a R13 billion solar cluster project in in the Free State province, which will add a total of 846MW to the electricity grid. In a statement on Wednesday, Scatec confirmed it had been awarded preferred bidder status in the seventh round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The project, known as the Kroonstad PV cluster, is expected to operate under 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), ensuring a steady supply of sustainable energy once completed. This latest development follows the Department of Electricity and Energy's strategic re-allocation of energy capacity from onshore wind to solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions. The cluster will comprise three solar power plants, Oslaagte Solar 2 (293MW), Oslaagte Solar 3 (293MW), and Leeuwspruit Solar (260MW). The estimated total project cost for the solar cluster project is R13bn ($735 million). The projects will be financed with up to 90% non-recourse project debt and the remaining by equity from the owners. Scatec CEO, Terje Pilskog, said South Africa was one of the group's core markets with the latest award the largest megawatt award to date in the country. 'It excites me to announce another important milestone for Scatec in South Africa and for the country's renewable energy transition. The Kroonstad PV Cluster represents a significant addition to Scatec's growing renewable energy footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa," Pilskog said. "Being selected once again under the REIPPPP reaffirms our role as a trusted partner and a leading developer in the region. We commend the government's continued commitment to enabling clean, secure, and affordable energy." Scatec will own 50.90% of the equity in the project with Stanlib's infrastructure fund (through its renewable energy platform, Greenstreet), along with Redstreet owning 46.50% and a Community Trust holding 2.6%. Scatec will provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), operations and maintenance, and asset management services to the project. Financial close is expected in 2026. "We are now looking forward to reaching financial close and start construction of the PV cluster during 2026,' said Alberto Gambacorta, Scatec's executive vice-president and general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. The group in December announced it had officially started producing and supplying electricity to the national grid from the three Kenhardt plants in the Northern Cape. The Kenhardt project, one of the world's first and largest hybrid solar and battery storage facilities, has an installed solar capacity of 540MW and a battery storage capacity of 225MW/1 140MWh. Scatec said the project delivers 150MW of dispatchable power from 5am to 9.30pm year-round to the national grid under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Eskom. The group is also in an advanced stage of the three Grootfontein solar projects won as part of the Department of Mineral Resources' fifth bidding round of its REIPPPP in 2021. The solar power plants will be the first Scatec assets located in the Western Cape province of the country and have a total capacity of 273MW solar power. Once operational the projects will deliver much needed renewable energy under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement. The three solar plants will lead to a combined abatement of 630 000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
MEC Siboniso Duma addresses contractor payment delays in KZN Transport
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport Siboniso Duma says delays in the payment of contractors constructing and rehabilitating road infrastructure in KZN was a concern. Image: Supplied The delays in the payment of contractors constructing and rehabilitating road infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal were a concern. The matter was highlighted by MEC of Transport Siboniso Duma during his budget hearing presentation and Annual Performance Plan (APP) at the KZN Legislature Transport Portfolio Committee, on Tuesday. Following the re-tabling of the national Budget by the Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, provincial departments were also required to re-table their budgets. Riona Gokool, MPL and DA spokesperson on transport, was concerned about allegations that contractors are not being paid for services rendered. This despite the department's significantly increased 2025/26 budget of over R13 billion: a 6.2% increase compared to the adjusted 2024/25 appropriation. 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 Gokool called for: A full disclosure regarding the total value of 2024/25 unpaid invoices and clarity on how the department plans to settle these in 2025/26. A full breakdown of all unpaid contractors from the 2024/25 financial year and the reasons. A timeline of when affected contractors can expect payments. Immediate steps within the DoT to ensure transparent and timely processing of contractor payments going forward. Ringfencing or conditional release of infrastructure and maintenance grant funds until the DoT provides a clear debt settlement plan and payment timeline. Clarity on whether non-payments will impact service delivery and infrastructure rollouts during the current year. The department's infrastructure programme has been allocated a substantial R9.2 billion, with R4.3 billion earmarked for maintenance and R3.8 billion for construction. Gokool said this highlights a mismatch between budget allocation and actual service delivery, particularly if contractors are not being paid or projects are not progressing as intended. According to Gokool, the APP and budget reports make repeated references to prior-year unpaid invoices, specifically noting a spike in expenditure during Quarter one of the 2024/25, which was attributed to late payments from the previous year. She said the department's over-expenditure in that period - R404 million instead of the projected R213 million - raises red flags regarding financial planning and invoice processing systems She added that the DoT's 2025/26 budget makes no clear provision or explanation for settling these outstanding contractor payments, and the progress on disbursing 2024/25 invoices remains unclear 'The ripple effect of non-payments not only affects businesses - it affects workers, their families and local economies - this despite a massive budget supposedly available,' she said. Duma stated that his department continues to prioritise the payment of contractors and that he requested a detailed report from his department heads of delays in payments for the contractors. He also called to prioritise contractors and service providers in rural areas where there is poverty. Duma said that DoT has made great progress in terms of the rollout of road infrastructure projects throughout the corners of the province. 'We have created job opportunities for thousands of people in deep rural areas. We have targeted young people who are worst affected by unemployment. The issue of floods and prolonged rainfall are natural disasters that are affecting our performance,' he said. Duma said that there would be penalties and punitive actions against contractors who squander money and abandon sites without finishing projects. He warned that contractors would be blacklisted and they will be taken to court to recover money.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Sasol in Sasolburg celebrates International Mandela Day
SASOLBURG – Honouring the legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Sasol mobilised employees around the world on Thursday, July 17, to give their time, talents and resources to personally contribute to International Mandela Day through the company's internal social impact programme, Sasol for Good. In Sasolburg more than 200 volunteers from Sasol's Sasolburg and Natref Operations as well as Mining participated in the drive themed 'Bridging the Gap, Nourishing Communities' and packed 1 028 boxes, each filled with red speckled beans, split peas, tinned fish, soya mince, maize meal, samp, rice, tea, tea creamer, soup powder, vitadrink, immunomeal, brown sugar and cooking oil. The packed boxes were distributed to more than 25 NPOs that serve people living with disabilities, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as well as shelters operating in Metsimaholo and Ngwathe local municipalities. Sasol's Regional Operations and Assets Services also handed over food, clothing and items donated by employees to the Youth Care Centres for boys and girls in Sasolburg. This year marks 10 years of Sasol for Good. To date, over 170 organisations have benefited from the generosity of Sasol employees, who have collectively donated more than R7 million over the past decade. Sasol has matched these contributions with an additional R6 million, resulting in a total of R13 million directed to non-profit organisations over the past 10 years. To harness the growing momentum of community centred goodwill, Sasol introduced five days or 40 hours of paid employee volunteer leave in 2016 – designed to capitalise on this spirit of doing good. The Sasol for Good initiative continues to empower employees to contribute their time, skills and in-kind support to causes aligned with their personal values. While Sasol evolved over the past decade, the company's commitment to philanthropy endures, particularly through initiatives such as annual International Nelson Mandela Day. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
18-07-2025
- The South African
Four suspects arrested, R1.8 million dagga seized in Mpumalanga
Police arrested four suspects at the Middelburg Plaza in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July 2025, after two of the suspects were allegedly found with dagga estimated to be valued at R1.8 million. The two other suspects were arrested for allegedly trying to bribe police. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of South African Police Service (SAPS) members from Middelburg Flying Squad, Middelburg K9 Unit and Provincial Counter-Intelligence received information about two Toyota GD-6 Double Cab bakkies believed to be transporting dagga and immediately made their way to the scene. According to a report by the police, one bakkie was intercepted and found with 15 bags starched with dagga and two suspects. While members were arresting the suspects, two foreign nationals approached them. They allegedly tried to bribe the police with R13 000 in exchange for releasing the two suspects arrested and the dagga. However, the police apprehended the foreign nationals and charged them with bribery. Acting Mpumalanga SAPS commissioner, Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the police for being able to resist the bribery offered to them. 'Though members were offered cash to look away, they remained committed to the SAPS Code of Conduct. This is the calibre of members that gives us joy as they are determined to root out criminal activities,' Mkhwanazi said. Two senior citizens, Suliman Ismail Molla, 67, and Fathima Essop Molla, 62, who are the directors of a Wholesale store, appeared before the Evander Regional Court on Thursday, 17 July 2025, for dealing in counterfeit cigarettes. The police seized 4710 packets of illicit cigarettes valued at R107 700 at their store. The seizure, which occurred in September 2024, resulted in one suspect being arrested at the time. All three suspects were released on warning and are expected to appear before the same court on Tuesday, 29 July 2025. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
