The Provincial Executive Council of KwaZulu-Natal, Chaired by Premier Sihle Zikalala, held its ordinary meeting to discuss critical developments within the province.  During the deliberations, the Provincial Executive Council reflected on a number of issues impacting on the lives of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

BRUTAL KILLING OF METRO POLICE

The Provincial Executive Council condemned in the strongest terms possible the brutal assassination of two Ethekwini Metro Police Officers who were callously gunned down in Hamarsdale, north of Durban, by unknown assailants. 

The Provincial Executive Council calls on all members of the community to work with law-enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to book so that they can face the full might of the law. The Provincial Executive Council appeals to society to contribute towards building a safer and more secure environment for police officers to work in by exposing criminal networks that are behind police attacks. 

The Provincial Executive Council has described these killings as a treasonous affront and an attack on democracy itself as police risk their lives daily to serve and protect our communities and safeguard our democracy. 

The Provincial Executive Council extend its heartfelt and deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the slain law enforcement officers.

COVID- 19 AND THE RE-OPENING OF SCHOOLS

The Provincial Executive Council, received a report from the MEC for Education pertaining to the re-opening of the schools for grade 12 and 7s.  The Executive Council expressed satisfaction with the relatively smooth opening of the school and the level of preparedness to comply with Covid-19 defence weapons such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, usage of sanitisers, cleaning of schools and provision of water.  

The Executive Council wishes all the learners well as they embark on the programme to recover the academic year, which will require maximum commitment from both teachers and parents. The Provincial Executive Council would like to thank parents, teachers, organized labour, school governing bodies and all education stakeholders for contributing towards a smooth resumption of schooling.

COVID 19 CASES IN SCHOOLS

The Executive Council also noted that some schools have had to be temporarily closed due to cases of Covid-19 being reported. The Executive Council remains concerned about an increase in the rate of infections since the transition to risk adjusted level 3.  Equally, the EXCO is encouraged by the increasing number of recoveries.  The Executive Council re-iterates the commitment that there will be no compromise on the life and safety of teachers, leaners and school management teams. The Government has put in place guidelines and rapid response mechanisms in place for quick intervention should cases be reported.  The provincial executive council continues to appeal to citizens to wear face masks in public and exercise social distancing, as well as intensify good hygiene practices.

INTESIFYING TESTING IN SCHOOLS IN HOTSPOTS

The Executive Council resolved to intensify COVID - 19 testing and screening in schools that are in hotspots areas such as Ethekwini and Ilembe districts.  The Executive Council requested the Department of Health to prioritise testing in these hotspot areas in order mitigate the risk of infections.

2020 YOUTH MONTH PROGRAMMES

The Provincial Executive Council reflected on the challenges facing the youth ahead of the 44th commemoration of youth uprising in South Africa, on 16 June 1976. The Executive Council noted that this day is a historic reminder of the role played by young people in creating conditions that led to a free South Africa.  The Executive Council noted that this day is a call to arms for all entities in government and social partners to double our efforts in addressing the challenges facing the youth such as joblessness.

The Executive Council therefore resolved to use Youth Month to focus on key areas that relate to the struggles faced by young people today.  These include Jobs for unemployed and uneducated youth, addressing the challenge of youth who are graduates (engineers, artisans and in other fields) who are without jobs, access to education, youth access to economic opportunities, social ills affecting the development of young people such as substance abuse, crime, teenage pregnancy and others.

Government must adopt a "Back to basics" approach in which we must ask ourselves what our obligation is   to the youth.

EXTENSION OF TERM OF OFFICE FOR BOARD MEMBERS OF THE KZN LIQUOR AUTHORITY

The Cabinet has resolved to extend the term of office for five (5) Board Members of the KZN Liquor Authority for a period of one year.  The entity is responsible as part of its mandate for the control and regulation of the retail and micro manufacture of liquor in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.  

APPOINMENT OF THE CEO OF RICHARDS BAY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE

The Provincial Executive Council approved that Mr Thabani Wiseman Zulu be appointment as the new CEO for the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone.  The RBDIZ is a strategic industrial development zone for the province and plays a critical role in boosting the province’s international economic competitiveness through investment attraction and enhancing our export options.  This world class infrastructure requires astute and capable leadership to propel it to greater heights as one of the province’s economic game changers.  Mr Thabani Zulu’s appointment augurs well with the provincial endeavours of growing the oil and gas sectors in this strategic economic belt.  Mr Zulu has a wealth of experience, having served as a Director-General in the Department of Energy, and has wide knowledge in dealing with economic sectors and stakeholders.

KZN LANGUAGE POLICY

The Executive Council fully supported and approved a new language policy which increases the number of official languages used in the province.  The Executive Council further directed the Department of Arts and Culture to further accommodate various languages spoken by communities in the province to form part of the Provincial language policy. These include Bhaca’s, Tamil etc.

CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Cabinet expresses its condolences to the family and friends and colleagues of Member of Parliament Ms Dora Dlamini, who passed away yesterday evening shortly after the virtual sitting in Parliament.  She was one of the very active Members of Parliament and made a huge contribution in the many youth structures in our country.  The Provincial Executive Council extends condolences her family, friends and colleagues.

Issued by The KZN Provincial Government