Latest news with #ThulasizweButhelezi
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
Woman and toddler die as fire razes more than 120 houses in Durban's Kennedy Road settlement
A Durban woman and an 18-month-old toddler died in a fire at the Kennedy Road informal settlement in the early hours of Saturday. eThekwini municipality said fire and emergency services and disaster management teams responded to the fire shortly after midnight at the sprawling settlement. The inferno destroyed about 122 informal structures and displaced more than 150 residents. 'Tragically, two lives were lost, a middle-aged woman and an 18-month-old toddler, both suffering fatal third-degree burns. No further injuries have been reported at this time,' the municipality said. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have originated from open flames, possibly due to an unattended stove. KwaZulu-Natal co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has also dispatched disaster management teams and social partners to provide relief to the community. Buthelezi has urged communities to be vigilant when using fire to keep warm this weekend as the province faces cold temperatures and rains due to a cold front. 'We urge communities to exercise extreme caution, especially during colder days when the use of open flames, such as izimbawula and heaters, significantly increases the risk of fires,' he said. Buthelezi is expected to visit the area on Monday to provide further support to the victims. TimesLIVE
The Herald
4 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Two men lauded for bravery after rescuing elderly couple from burning home
Two Montclair, Durban, residents have been hailed as heroes after they saved an elderly couple trapped in their burning home on Wednesday. KwaZulu-Natal co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi lauded the 'extraordinary bravery and selflessness' of Derek Chirwa and David Phiri. 'The dramatic rescue unfolded when the duo noticed the couple's residence engulfed in flames. Without hesitation, Chirwa and Phiri forced open the door, enabling them to evacuate the 79-year-old resident and his partner from the raging inferno,' the department said. Buthelezi believes the men exemplify the best of ubuntu. 'Their quick thinking and immense courage prevented a tragic loss of life. This act of heroism serves as an inspiration to us all.' He reminded KwaZulu-Natal residents to be vigilant during winter. 'The risk of structural fires significantly increases during colder months due to various factors, including the use of heating appliances. We urge everyone to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their homes and loved ones.' TimesLIVE
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Political tensions rise as ANC defies IFP-led cabinet decision in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity is under threat after IFP and ANC clash over the administration of municipalities. Image: IOL / Independent Newspapers A political clash which may threaten the stability of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal is looming between the ANC and IFP. Parties have traded public blows over the IFP-led cabinet's decision to place the ANC-led Umkhanyakude District Municipality under administration. Although ANC's three MECs were part of the meeting that approved the decision, the party provincial task team leadership has publicly defied the cabinet decision and called on its deployees in the municipality to defy the order. On Monday, the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi returned without introducing the appointed administrator Bamba Ndwandwe after he and his team were prevented from entering the municipality premises in the north-east of the province. The mayor and senior officials did not attend the meeting. The angry MEC has vowed to ensure that the cabinet decision was implemented. On Wednesday, he said he warned the ANC and threatened to take legal action should it continue to defy the government's decision. 'We will not allow anyone to prevent the government from doing its work. If the ANC continues preventing me from executing my constitutional duties I will take legal action. This is a cabinet decision,' said Buthelezi. 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 ✕ In a statement, the ANC said it vehemently rejects the unwarranted and politically charged decision by the MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, to invoke Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality. It said the so-called intervention is nothing short of abuse of constitutional provisions for political gain, adding that it lacks merit, rationale, and integrity. 'The ANC is appalled by the continued misuse of Section 139(1)(b) by the MEC, who has turned what should be a last-resort mechanism into a political weapon, one that is selectively and cynically deployed against ANC-led municipalities, regardless of their performance. "The uMkhanyakude District Municipality has made tangible progress in governance, financial recovery, and service delivery. There is no objective basis for this draconian step, which appears designed not to improve governance, but to score narrow political points and destabilise a functional administration,' read the statement. The party said it stands with the Council of uMkhanyakude District Municipality in resisting the opportunistic, mischievous and dangerous actions of a power-mongering MEC who is hell-bent on destabilising a functional municipality and undermining service delivery to communities, vowing to actively mobilise its supporters and communities to resist the advances of an MEC who the party described as having clearly defined himself outside of the GPU. There are fears that the continued souring of relations between these two major partners of the GPU may create instability in the province which is known for its political complexities.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi clashes with Umkhanyakude Municipality over intervention
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cogta Thulasizwe Buthelezi said he was barred from entering the municipal premises. Image: Supplied KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi was forced to address councillors outside the locked gates of the Umkhanyakude District Municipality in Mkhuze, in the far north of the province, yesterday after senior municipal officials allegedly attempted to block his visit. The MEC described the incident as a blatant act of obstruction by officials, including the Speaker and Municipal Manager of the Umkhanyakude District, who 'barricaded the entrance to the municipality' to stop him from fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities. With the doors to the municipal offices locked, the MEC held his meeting at the entrance of the building, where he informed councillors that the Provincial Executive Council had resolved to place the municipality under administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution. 'This section empowers the provincial government to appoint an administrator when a municipality fails to fulfil its duties of providing services to communities,' Buthelezi explained. In a statement yesterday afternoon, Umkhanyakude Municipality said it was strongly opposed to the intervention by the Cogta MEC and stated it was irregular. Buthelezi announced the appointment of Bamba Ndwandwe as the new administrator. 'Mr. Ndwandwe is a seasoned local government veteran with extensive experience working with various municipalities across the province,' the MEC said. Ndwandwe officially took office on July 1. His immediate mandate is to stabilise the municipality and develop a 'comprehensive turnaround plan' to address the issues that led to the intervention. 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 ✕ Buthelezi also revealed that a forensic investigation, authorised under Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, had been launched to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration. 'The investigation aims to thoroughly examine the various allegations, and officials will be held accountable should any wrongdoing be uncovered by the investigators,' he said. The MEC called on the absent municipal leadership to cooperate fully with both the administrator and investigators, stressing the importance of urgency. 'MEC Buthelezi reiterated his unwavering commitment to working collaboratively with all KZN Municipalities to ensure they effectively deliver services and prioritise the interests of their communities,' the department stated. Despite the confrontation, Buthelezi affirmed: 'The MEC remains undeterred and will continue to work in the best interests of the residents of the KwaZulu-Natal province.' In a statement issued by the Speaker TS Mkhombo, the municipality said the council of Umkhanyakude District Municipality has taken a position to strongly oppose the recent intervention instituted by Cogta. It said the previous intervention lasted for almost five years from February 2021 and lapsed in April this year. 'When the intervention lapsed in April 2025, the MEC misrepresented facts to the Council on the basis that the intervention had not lapsed or terminated. He wrote correspondence to that effect. Council refuted his claim in a letter addressed to the MEC. 'The Council is gravely concerned about what it perceives as a premature, unnecessary, and procedurally unfair intervention that disregards the autonomy and constitutional rights of the local government institution. 'We view this action as undermining the legitimate authority of elected councillors and the will of the electorate that placed them in office." The statement added that there was no comprehensive engagement process between Cogta and the council of Umkhanyakude before the invocation. 'Proper cooperative governance requires open dialogue, support, and mediation before imposing provincial control. 'We would have expected, as a matter of due process and good governance, that the department would engage with the council, identify the areas of concern, and allow reasonable time for internal corrective measures to be implemented. 'No formal warnings, performance audits, or technical support processes were offered to the municipality before the intervention. This makes the decision procedurally unfair and administratively excessive," said the statement by the Speaker. THE MERCURY
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
#Reportback: Tracking the four investigations at KDM
#Reportback: Tracking the four investigations at KDM Four high-profile investigations are currently underway at KwaDukuza municipality (KDM), and I want to ensure the public remains informed with clarity and transparency. Firstly, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is probing three high-value tenders issued between 2018 and 2019, relating to roadworks and electrical infrastructure for the KwaDukuza Mall. These multimillion-rand projects are being scrutinised for possible irregularities, wasteful expenditure and misconduct. The investigation may run until late 2026, as SIU cases typically span up to 24 months. The process is expected to cost about R24- million, which will be billed to the municipality. Council has formally appealed to the SIU for a waiver or reduction of these costs and we remain hopeful that the request will be favourably considered. In addition, KDM is subject to an investigation by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), initiated under Section 106 by MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi in March this year. The probe focuses on alleged asset misuse, political interference and irregular appointments and hiring practices. Cogta requires around 90 days to gather evidence and finalise its findings. Once the report is submitted to the MEC's office, it will be tabled before Council and shared with the public. On the electricity front, we have heard your frustrations loud and clear. Following years of outages and deteriorating infrastructure, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) is conducting a full audit of the municipality's electrical systems. Their findings are expected to clarify the root causes of service delivery issues and provide guidance on corrective action. Nersa typically completes its audits within a month, and the report is expected to be tabled before Council by the end of this month. Lastly, I must address the R35.7- million cyber fraud incident that struck the municipality earlier this year. Hackers infiltrated our ABSA account using spyware, resulting in a significant financial loss. While R30.8-million has been recovered, R4.9- million remains unaccounted for. The Hawks are currently investigating all parties involved, including a company that received R4.4- million and withdrew it immediately. Council has secured a High Court liquidation order to aid in recovering the stolen funds and has established a commission of enquiry to ensure accountability. These measures are not without cost – the total legal and administrative expenses are estimated at between R1.5-million and R2-million, but they are necessary to ensure justice is served. Shortened – Ed. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
