To all media 05 April 2024 The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) will release details of the funds disbursed to Municipalities and Provinces for disaster interventions. The disbursed funds 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, Minister Nkadimeng joined by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC of COGTA, Ms Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi will also handover 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 to be handed over was constructed by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent’s (MISA), which is the implementing agent of the Department of Cooperative Governance. Prior to the implementation of this project, the communities in Bhokwe Village and the Hostels grappled with an outdated and dilapidated waterborne sewer system, initially provide by Anglo-American coal mine over 50 years ago. Characterized 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 toilets, further highlighting the disparity in sanitation infrastructure. This project is estimated to be benefitting a population of 1715 individuals across 245 households by ensuring that the community and other stakeholders in Bhokwe have access to and are using adequate and reliable functioning sewer system. Below are the details of the programme for the day: PART A: MEDIA BRIEFING: – Date: 09 April 2024 – Time: 10:00 – Venue: Black Horses Lodge and conference centre, 789 Dagbreek Road, Hlobane, Vryheid PART B: HANDOVER OF THE BHOKWE RECTIFICATION OF SEWER RETICULATION & CONSTRUCTION OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS: – Date: 09 April 2024 – Time: 11:00 – Venue: Xulu Msiyane Thusong Centre , Ward 5 , Bhokwe Village, Vryheid Ends – For media enquiries, kindly contact: Mr. Legadima Leso: 066 479 9904 – COGTA national Mr. Tsekiso Machike: 078 237 3900 – COGTA National MLO Mr. Sboniso Mgadi: 078 106 3911 – COGTA KZN MLO Issued by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA