Latest news with #ThamiNtuli
IOL News
5 days ago
- 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.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN Premier addresses cross-border crime at Kosi Bay Border Post
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli conducted an inspection at the Kosi Bay border to view cross-border security measures recently. Image: KZN Government KwaZulu-Natal's border zone of Kosi Bay has been plagued by vehicle hijackings, cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the illegal movement of goods and persons. These were the sentiments shared by KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli during an oversight visit to the Kosi Bay Border Post, a key point of entry between South Africa and Mozambique last week. Ntuli is also the Executive Authority for the Department of Community Safety and Liaison in the province. His delegation inspected Border Gates 6 and 8, in collaboration with the Border Management Authority (BMA). He stated that Kosi Bay remained a key point of vulnerability, as criminal syndicates operated across the border, and that his department had taken steps to enhance integrated border management and improve inter-agency coordination. Ntuli stated that the Kosi Bay inspection was part of the provincial government's Safety Turnaround Strategy, which is a multi-sectoral approach to tackling crime hotspots, enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement, and improving coordination between government entities in high-risk areas. 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 the inspection, Ntuli was accompanied by Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, the KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development. Both held direct engagements with frontline officers, including the SAPS, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops, and BMA officials. The team evaluated existing infrastructure, patrol operations, surveillance systems, and identified areas requiring urgent attention. Madlopha-Mthethwa called for improved collaboration across all levels of government. 'Cross-border crime not only threatens community safety, but also undermines economic development and regional cooperation. This visit sends a clear message that KwaZulu-Natal will not be a haven for criminal operations,' she said. The delegation acknowledged the tireless work of local community safety structures that mainly operated under difficult conditions to protect their communities from criminal syndicates. 'These community structures are the true heroes. They risk their lives to safeguard others, and it is our responsibility to support and empower them,' Ntuli said. During the visit, Thembinkosi Khumalo, mayor of the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, handed over a surveillance drone to be used by the BMA, SAPS, and community crime-fighting forums. Said Ntuli: 'This drone will significantly enhance aerial patrol capabilities and allow for real-time monitoring of vulnerable border zones.'
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN government enhances border security with drone donation to combat crime
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli conducted an inspection at the Kosi Bay border to view cross-border security measures recently. Image: KZN Government KwaZulu-Natal's border zone of Kosi Bay has been plagued by vehicle hijackings, cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the illegal movement of goods and persons. These were the sentiments shared by KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli during an oversight visit to the Kosi Bay Border Post, a key point of entry between South Africa and Mozambique on Thursday. Ntuli is also the Executive Authority for the Department of Community Safety and Liaison in the province. His delegation inspected Border Gates 6 and 8, in collaboration with the Border Management Authority (BMA). He stated that Kosi Bay remains a key point of vulnerability for criminal syndicates operating across the border, and that his department was taking steps to enhance integrated border management and improve inter-agency coordination. Ntuli lamented that the Kosi Bay inspection is part of the provincial government's Safety Turnaround Strategy, which is a multi-sectoral approach to tackling crime hotspots, enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement, and improving coordination between government entities in high-risk areas. 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 During the inspection, Ntuli was accompanied by Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, the KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development. Both held direct engagements with frontline officers, including the SAPS, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops, and BMA officials. The team evaluated existing infrastructure, patrol operations, and surveillance systems, and identified areas requiring urgent attention. Madlopha-Mthethwa called for improved collaboration across all levels of government. 'Cross-border crime not only threatens community safety, but also undermines economic development and regional cooperation. This visit sends a clear message that KwaZulu-Natal will not be a haven for criminal operations,' she said. The delegation acknowledged the tireless work of local community safety structures, many of whom operate under difficult conditions to protect their communities from criminal syndicates. 'These community structures are the true heroes. They risk their lives to safeguard others, and it is our responsibility to support and empower them,' Ntuli said. During the visit, Thembinkosi Khumalo, mayor of the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, handed over a surveillance drone to be used by the BMA, SAPS, and community crime-fighting forums. Said Ntuli: 'This drone will significantly enhance aerial patrol capabilities and allow for real-time monitoring of vulnerable border zones.'
The Herald
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald
'The time for excuses has passed' — PSA vows escalation until every unemployed doctor in KZN is hired
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has vowed to intensify protest action until every qualified, unemployed doctor in KwaZulu-Natal is absorbed into the provincial health system. The union, which represents thousands of public sector employees, has thrown its weight behind more than 150 unemployed doctors, who despite completing their internships and community service, remain without work. 'These doctors have completed their internship and community service obligations in line with public health policy but have been abandoned by the same government that trained them,' said the PSA in a statement. The union warned it would not back down until the KZN department of health provides clear answers about staffing plans. 'Health care is not a commodity, it is a human right. Doctors are not surplus, they are essential,' said the PSA. In a recent media statement, the KwaZulu-Natal health department confirmed that 20 medical officer posts will be advertised within the next seven days as part of an interim intervention. 'This comes as a result of ongoing engagements between the department of health and the Office of the Premier, which are aimed at finding practical solutions under challenging fiscal conditions,' the department said. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, speaking alongside premier Thami Ntuli, explained that the 800 medical posts referenced earlier this year by the national finance minister refer to a national allocation — not a provincial one — and that KZN will only receive a portion. 'We want to make it clear that those 800 posts form part of a national process, which is being handled at the level of the minister of health, the minister of finance, and parliament. KZN, like all other provinces, will receive a portion of those posts. Once national [government] has finalised that process and informed us how many posts we will receive, we will immediately advertise them,' said Simelane. She said they were not ignoring the problem. 'When we realised that our provincial budget would not be enough to absorb all the doctors finishing their community service this year, we escalated the matter to the premier. The premier and I then took the issue directly to the president,' said Simelane. Simelane blamed long-term financial cuts for the current staffing crisis. 'In the past five years, our department has lost R14bn to baseline budget cuts. That has greatly affected our ability to expand our staff complement,' she said. The PSA said these explanations were not enough. 'The PSA demands that minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, must immediately confirm how many of the 1,500 posts he promised on April 10 have been allocated to KwaZulu-Natal,' the union said. 'In addition, budget allocations must be urgently released to allow the provincial department to advertise and fill these critical posts without delay. This delay is a denial of justice, a betrayal of the working class, and a blatant undermining of the right to health for the people of KwaZulu-Natal,' said the PSA. The union painted a dire picture of the state of health care in the province, saying it has a doctor-to-patient ratio of just 0.4 per 1,000 people — far below acceptable standards. 'Emergency units are short-staffed, surgical backlogs are growing, and burnout among medical personnel has reached a breaking point. And yet, over 150 doctors remain jobless. The situation reflects poor governance and a leadership crisis,' said the PSA. 'These are not new posts but critical vacancies that have been left unfilled.' The union has also called for a joint meeting involving national and provincial authorities, unions and community organisations to craft a 'radical and people-centred workforce plan' based on population needs and transparent staffing data. 'These unemployed doctors are not job seekers begging for work. They are professionals demanding the fulfilment of a promise, and the right to serve communities. Government cannot continue to pay lip service to health transformation while it leaves hospitals short of hands and graduates unemployed,' the PSA said. The union warned that unless decisive action is taken soon, it will escalate its mobilisation efforts. 'The time for bureaucratic excuses has passed. The PSA will intensify mobilisation alongside unemployed doctors and progressive forces until every qualified doctor is placed, every funded post is filled and every patient is treated with dignity,' it said. TimesLIVE
IOL News
29-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KwaZulu-Natal Premier urges youth to embrace tech entrepreneurship
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, has expressed concerns that the province's youth are not venturing into entrepreneurship in the tech sector. He spoke on the issue recently while announcing a partnership with one of the telecommunications companies in the country. Ntuli unveiled a landmark partnership with telecommunications giant MTN, aimed at expanding internet connectivity in rural areas and equipping young people with critical digital skills last week. Ntuli expressed disappointment at the low uptake of the KZN Youth Fund by tech-based enterprises. Despite the province's youthful population, where nearly half of residents are under 20, he said few young entrepreneurs are venturing into digital businesses. He implied that issues of connectivity could be one of the problems in attracting the youth to the sector. 'Our observation has been that, like their global counterparts, many of our youth seek to start internet-based businesses and help build ICT-based companies akin to those in Silicon Valley. However, we have found that internet and cell phone network connectivity, especially in rural areas, remains a major barrier,' Ntuli said.
