COGTA Minister to release details of disaster funds disbursed to municipalities

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Thembi Nkadimeng will on Tuesday release the details of funds disbursed to municipalities and provinces for disaster interventions.

This follows the classification and declaration of particular occurrences as national disasters, in terms of Section 23(3) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act 57 of 2002), by the Minister of COGTA.

This disbursement of funds is in accordance with section 25(3)(a) of the Division of Revenue Act, 2023 (Act No. 5 of 2023), as amended by the Division of Revenue Amendment Act, 2023 (Act No. 24 of 2023).

Following the release of the details of the funds, Nkadimeng, joined by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC of COGTA, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, will also hand over the rectification of sewer reticulation and construction of the Wastewater Treatment Works in Ward 5 of the Abaqulusi Local Municipality in the Zululand District.

The life-changing project was constructed by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), which is the implementing agent of the Department of Cooperative Governance.

Prior to the implementation of this project, communities in Bhokwe village and hostels, grappled with an outdated and dilapidated waterborne sewer system, initially provide by Anglo-American coal mine over 50 years ago. 

Characterised by frequent bursts, blockages and overflowing manholes, the aging infrastructure posed challenges to the residents’ health and well-being.

Added to this, other areas within Bhokwe settlement relied on VIP [ventilated improved pit] toilets, further highlighting the disparity in sanitation infrastructure.

This project is estimated to be benefitting a population of 1 715 individuals across 245 households by ensuring that the community and other stakeholders in Bhokwe have access to, and are using an adequate and reliable functioning sewer system. – SAnews.gov.za