Moses Mabhida Building, Pietermaritzburg, 7 May 2025 - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has outlined critical resolutions from the latest sitting of the Provincial Executive Council, covering pressing issues from crime prevention to service delivery, infrastructure, education, and traditional governance.
1. Council Against Crime Strengthens Crime Prevention Strategy
Premier Ntuli, who chairs the Council Against Crime (CAC), reported on the Council’s third sitting held on 6 May. The meeting followed the release of the latest SAPS crime statistics for the last quarter of 2024, which revealed concerning increases in contact crimes:
- Sexual offences increased by 195 cases (7.4%)
- Assault with intent to cause grievous harm rose by 1,220 cases (14.4%)
- Common assault rose by 1,185 cases (15.6%)
Murder showed a decrease of 156 cases (9.5%). Notable hotspot stations include Inanda, Umlazi, Plessislaer, Durban Central, Empangeni, KwaDukuza, Chatsworth, and Verulam.
Key resolutions from the CAC meeting included:
- Strengthening school safety programmes and gender-based violence interventions at schools and institutions of higher learning
- Municipalities to adopt crime prevention plans through environmental design for easier law enforcement access to hotspots
- Hosting a province-wide dialogue on the causes of gender-based violence and femicide
- Support for stricter liquor regulations, including shorter operating hours and revised zoning requirements
2. Border Management and Illegal Immigration
The Executive Council commended the work of the Border Management Authority (BMA), especially their deployment of drones over the Easter weekend to intercept illegal crossings. However, the Council noted the BMA’s limited resources, with current infrastructure only able to scan 2% of port traffic. The Council supports the call for improved resourcing and equipment to enhance border protection.
3. Accountability in Road Construction Projects
The Department of Transport and Human Settlements reported that 30 contractors have failed to deliver on construction and rehabilitation projects worth over R4.6 billion. Many of these contractors were found to be inactive or suspended despite being awarded contracts based on high CIDB grades. The department has pledged to hold these contractors accountable and terminate non-performing contracts.
4. Learner Transport Programme
The Executive Council noted that the Department of Transport will be able to transport approximately 77,000 learners in 2025. However, more than 157,000 qualifying learners will remain without transport. The department is working with Treasury and the Department of Education to explore long-term funding solutions. The learner transport budget for 2025/26 is R341.1 million, with planned increases over the next two years.
5. National School Nutrition Programme Payments
The Department of Education confirmed that all outstanding payments to school nutrition service providers were resolved on 6 May 2025. Delays were caused by technical issues in transitioning to the new BAS Version 6 financial system. The department reiterated that these delays were not due to funding shortages.
6. Outstanding Payments in Health and Public Works
The Department of Health reported that it currently owes more than R1.7 billion in unpaid invoices. These are expected to be settled in the 2025/26 financial year. In contrast, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure reported significant progress, having settled over R353 million in debts, including payments to municipalities, landlords, and service providers. The department is now processing payments within the required 30-day window.
7. Interventions in Municipalities Under Section 139
The Executive Council reviewed the status of four municipalities under intervention: uMkhanyakude, uMzinyathi, Mooi Mpofana, and uThukela. While some municipalities have shown improvement, others remain under scrutiny. The Council committed to ongoing oversight and support to ensure sustainable service delivery.
Looking Ahead
Premier Ntuli invited the media to attend two significant provincial events on Friday: a certificate handover ceremony for over 100 izinduna and 20 amakhosi at eLangeni Hotel, and the inaugural sitting of the Provincial Council on Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Mayville.
The Premier also expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, to be hosted at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
"We are confident this event will once again demonstrate KwaZulu-Natal’s capability to host major national events," said Premier Ntuli. "May the best team win."
