The Provincial Executive Council held its ordinary session today and reflected on key developments in the province
Call for urgent arrest of the uMthwalume killer and message of condolences to family of victims
The Provincial Executive Council has called for an urgent arrest of the Umthwalume killer alleged to be behind the gruesome murders of five women which has sent shockwaves on the KZN South Coast and the Province. The Executive Council has urged law-enforcement agencies to work around the clock to ensure that the perpetrator of this despicable crime is brought to book as a matter of urgency.
The Executive Council has expressed shock that this wanton and senseless murders of women happens while we are commemorating Women's Month in the Province and when we have just celebrated Women's Day over the weekend. The Executive Council has conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
Debt owed to municipalities
The Provincial Executive Council noted with concern the escalating debt owed by government. The Provincial Executive Council noted that this debt is now standing at a staggering R1, 7-billion. An amount to the tune of R R880-million is owed by provincial departments and state entities such as the Ingonyama Trust Board, KZN wildlife and others.
The KZN Provincial Executive also noted the disputes raised by departments to incorrect property and billing information. The Executive Council instructed the departments to engage directly with municipalities to resolve the discrepancies.
The highest debt is notably in respect of section 21 schools which receive transfers for the payment of services. The Department of Education has been advised to engage the school principals and ensure that payment is done.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as the Provincial Treasury have been assigned to lead the provincial efforts to resolve this challenge and ensure that municipalities are able to receive the financial resources due to them so that they can remain financially viable and continue to deliver services to our communities.
The New England Road Landfill Site
The Provincial Executive Council, which now receives regular reports on the efforts to resolve the problems associated with the New England Road Landfill site, welcomed the progress from the task team established by the Premier Sihle Zikalala.
The task team comprises of the MEC’s for Economic Development and Tourism, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, MEC Champion of uMgungundlovu, Ravi Pillay, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka, the Mayors of uMsunduzi and uMgungundlovu.
The Provincial Executive has received the implementation plan and its key milestones which include the upgrade of existing infrastructure and additional infrastructure, attending to the Human Resource capacity to manage waste removal, formalisation of waste pickers, identification of new sites as long terms strategy and intensifying law enforcement to deal with illegality and criminal activities on this site.
Support to Seven KZN NSL local soccer teams
The Provincial Executive Council approved the request tabled by the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Hlengiwe Mavimbela, to support seven local soccer teams from KwaZulu-Natal who are participating in the resumption of the national soccer leagues as well as the Glad Africa Cup.
The seven teams are the ambassadors of the province of KwaZulu-Natal and are currently flying the flag of the province. The professional clubs will be assisted with costs associated with the resumption of the National Soccer League.
The support will amount to a total of R2.8 million and each team will receive R400 000 and this budget will be sourced from the pre-season support budget that the teams receive for their participation in the pre-season annual Premier’s Cup.
For enquiries, contact:
KZN Provincial Government Spokesperson
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
Bongani Mthethwa
KZN Premier Media Liaison
Cell: 083 253 0748
