Durban – 31 March 2025 – The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has welcomed the allocation of R227,700,000.00 to municipalities within KwaZulu-Natal. This funding was announced today by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa.
These funds are designated to support municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal in their response to the severe weather incidents which resulted in fatalities and widespread damage across the province, with over 30 lives lost and over 10,000 individuals affected between December 2024 and March 2025.
The majority of these funds were disbursed by National Cogta through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) between February and March 2025.
This allocation will enhance ongoing efforts to assist affected communities and restore infrastructure.
MEC Buthelezi believes that the Minister’s timely intervention through this financial support will enable municipalities and departments to promptly initiate projects aimed at providing support to the affected communities.
These projects include the repair of roads, restoration of electricity, water, and sanitation infrastructure, and the improvement of storm water management systems.
“These funds, provided through the Disaster Response Grant, will be crucial in delivering necessary aid to those impacted by these events and in addressing the resultant challenges within our communities,” stated MEC Buthelezi.
The MEC has further emphasised the necessity for careful and transparent utilisation of these resources to ensure effective support for those most affected and has vowed to ensure that the department exercises oversight and ensures that the funds are used for their intended purpose.
The Disaster Response Grant has been allocated to the following municipalities:
• Edumbe Local Municipality: R 6,800,000.00
• Abaqulusi Local Municipality: R 5,400,000.00
• Mfolozi Local Municipality: R 5,300,000.00
• uLundi Local Municipality: R 5,500,000.00
• Zululand District Municipality: R 9,000,000.00
• Uthukela District Municipality: R 6,900,000.00
• UMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality: R 5,200,000.00
• Mthonjaneni Local Municipality: R 4,200,000.00
• Nquthu Local Municipality: R 5,100,000.00
• Nkandla Local Municipality: R 5,000,000.00
• Mvoti Local Municipality: R 6,400,000.00
• Mzinyathi District Municipality: R 6,500,000.00
• Mandeni Local Municipality: R 5,100,000.00
• UMlalazi Local Municipality- R14,200,000.00.
• Alfred Duma Local Municipality- R50,000,000.00.
• Dannhauser Local Municipality- R11,200,000.00.
• Mntubatuba Local Municipality – R19,700,000.00.
• Maphumulo Local Municipality- R13,300,000.00.
• Ndwedwe Local Municipality – R25,000,000.00.
• Mpofana Local Municipality – R17,900,000.00.
Ends.