Statement on the virtual meeting of the KZN Provincial Executive Council - The Provincial Executive Council of KwaZulu-Natal, chaired by Hon. Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala held its virtual ordinary meeting.
The Executive Council deliberated on a number of key issues affecting the state of the province and the country in general.
KZN Executive Council welcomes the tightening of measures to prevent COVID-19 spread - damaging effects of alcohol
The Provincial Executive Council welcomed the enhanced level 3 adjusted risk strategy announcements by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, which he did on behalf of Cabinet and the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCC).
The Provincial Executive Council supported the decision by the NCC to ban, with immediate effect, the sale of alcohol and the introduction of the 9pm – 4am curfew.
The Provincial Executive Council once again urges the people of KwaZulu-Natal to co-operate and support this decision as it is in the health interest of our citizens.
The sale of alcohol has had the undesirable effect of people getting involved in inter-personal conflicts that result in assault, stabbings and shootings.
We have also noted an increase in the number of road crashes. The common denominator in such cases is usually alcohol. At a time like this, we really cannot afford to have beds that should be used by COVID – 19 patients being taken up by people who are sick or injured as a result of alcohol.
The Provincial Executive Council will ensure that there is tightening of the implementation of the announcements by the President and will play its part in contributing to the reduction of infections and ensuring that beds in our provincial health care facilities prioritise the sick and alcohol-induced accidents are eliminated.
Looming disruptions of schools
The Executive Council received a report from the MEC for Education, Mr Kwazi Mshengu on the decision by one of the biggest Trade Unions in the education sector – SADTU, which called for the suspension of schooling with immediate effect due to concerns over rising infections.
The Provincial Executive Council understands the concerns and the anxiety that is currently gripping most of our citizens as the COVID-19 storm reaches its peak.
The Executive Council calls on all the parties to find one another. The Executive Council is concerned about the call to disrupt schools and therefore fully supports the continuing engagements between the Department of Basic Education and all relevant stakeholders in the quest to find common ground on the continuing operation of the schools during this difficult period.
The Provincial Executive Council encouraged all stakeholders to move with speed in finding a common solution that will bring stability and progress in the education sector for the sake of our children and the country’s future.
Task team to probe service delivery disruptions in Ugu, Newcastle and King Cetswayo District Municipality
The Provincial Executive Council resolved to intervene and appoint a task team to probe service delivery disruptions in the Municipalities of Ugu, Newcastle and King Cetshwayo.
The Executive Council is concerned about persistent service delivery disruptions plaguing these municipalities and their impact on the lives of residents and investors alike.
KZN Executive Council Authorises Section 106 investigation into Alfred Duma Municipality
The Provincial Cabinet took a decision to launch an investigation in terms of section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, into the affairs of the Alfred Duma Municipality, in Ladysmith.
The investigations stem from a number of allegations levelled at the municipality followed by protests that interrupted the functioning of the town and surrounding areas.
It is the view of the Provincial Executive Council that the outcome of the investigation will assist in restoring Alfred Duma Municipality back to functionality in terms of proper administration, financial management and service delivery.
Rationalisation of the KZN Gambling Board and the KZN Liquor Authority to establish a new regulatory authority
The Provincial Executive Council, received a progress report on the implementation of its decision to rationalise the KZN Gambling Board and the KZN Liquor Authority.
The Executive Council expressed satisfaction that the two boards have now merged and a new entity known as the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority is being formed.
This move will improve efficiencies, eliminate duplications and ensure that the entities are streamlined. This will ensure that service delivery is done in the most cost effective manner.
To this effect the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, led by MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, will commence a process to amend the legislation regulating the two entities to include a cross-reference to the board of the new regulatory authority.
KZN Executive approves plan to end conflict and instability in the province
In view of the recent surge in instability in various sectors in the province, the Provincial Executive Council resolved to approve a stability strategy for the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The conflicts experienced include faction fights, taxi violence, political violence, labour unrest, public protests, and disruption of business by organised groups, hostel violence, land invasions and instability in the road freight industry.
The stability strategy will lead to a dedicated task team, at the centre of government in the Province, that will comprehensively, proactively and with the necessary authority coordinate responses to emerging instability and direct existing instability management mechanisms and structures in a more effective and sustainable manner.
The MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, has been assigned to lead in developing an implementation plan for the strategy that will deliver an outcome of a peaceful, stable and developing KwaZulu-Natal.
KZN skills in demand by business
The Provincial Executive Council received a report on the survey undertaken by the Moses Kotane Research Institute on skills demanded by business in KZN.
The report, which will be made public soon, surveyed 2402 (formal and informal businesses) in all sectors and all districts.
The sectors covered included the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mining and Quarrying, Manufacturing, Utilities (Gas, Electricity & Water), Construction, Transport and Storage, Finance, Real Estate and Business, Services (Education & Health), Wholesale and Retail, Tourism and Hospitality, Information, Communications and Technology.
A synopsis of the revelations indicates that there are skills which were mostly required in each sector.
These are mainly technical skills related to financial management, communication, customer relations, computer skills, and industry knowledge for each sector, etc.
The province needs to look at the issue of drivers in addition to skills mentioned. In order recalibrate the economy, KZN will therefore look at interventions to provide skills in targeted economic sectors and try to bridge the gap on skills.
Government will use this report to engage academic institutions through the Provincial Human Resource Development Council to influence the transformation of the curricula to respond to the skills required by industry to create jobs and also develop skills for the jobs of the future.
The Provincial Executive Council calls on business to invest in assisting the province to produce skills and contribute to closing the gap when it comes to skills shortages.
Provincial Department of Human Settlement approved to take over the developer status for the implementation of human settlements
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council received two reports from the Honourable MEC for Public Works and Human Settlement, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, pertaining to the crucial Human Settlements portfolio.
The first one dealt with the proposal that the Provincial Department take over the developer status for the implementation of Human Settlements projects from all local municipalities and phase out the procurement of service providers for human settlements projects by local municipalities.
The Provincial Executive Council noted that the majority of municipalities have not complied with constitutional requirements due to lack of capacity and with some municipalities under administration.
This is more especially with shortcomings in supply chain management processes.
The Provincial Executive Council deliberated on the proposed interventions to advance the pace of house delivery and mitigate the prospect of community protests that frequently took a violent turn.
The meeting also acknowledged that where local municipalities are compliant with supply chain processes, the Department of Human Settlements may at its discretion honour such appointments and contracts with specific conditions.
After due consideration, the Provincial Executive Council approved the recommendation that Human Settlements take over the developer status from all local municipalities with effect from 1 April 2021.
The priority human settlements development areas
The matter of the Human Settlements Framework for Spatial Transformation and Consolidation and the gazetted Human Settlements Priority Development Areas (PDAs) in KwaZulu-Natal was also tabled before the Provincial Executive Council.
It was noted that the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation approved the Human Settlements Framework for Spatial Transformation and Consolidation on 1 November 2019 which inter alia creates opportunities for liveable, inclusive and resilient towns and cities; reverses the unjust and dysfunctional spatial legacy of apartheid; and increases the asset creation potential of the state’s investments in human settlements.
Against the motivation provided by MEC Nkonyeni, the Provincial Executive Council, approved the Human Settlements Framework for Spatial Transformation and Consolidation; and the 22 gazetted Priority Human Settlements Development Areas (PHDAs) for KwaZulu-Natal.
Indigenous knowledge systems - based healthy lifestyle
The provincial executive council approved the indigenous knowledge systems strategy which seeks to strengthen the fight against the onslaught of COVID – 19. It has long been established that if Africa is to realise its true potential, the continent needs to find African solutions to its challenges.
Finding expression through activities such as the planting of food, and the revival of time-honoured indigenous games and various other athletic activities, the indigenous knowledge systems-based approach has massive potential to promote healthy lifestyles, ensuring a populace that is healthier and has a higher resistance to COVID – 19 and other ailments.
For more information contact:
KZN Provincial Government Spokesperson
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
Bongani Mthethwa
KZN Premier Media Liaison
Cell: 083 253 0748
