This has severely affected construction and maintenance of road networks, with communities suffering: Duma says RTI arrested three criminals in eShowe and recovered a stolen grader. He welcomes progress made by a specialized department’s security team working with Organized Crime Unit deployed by Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

Media and Public Statement by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

18 June 2026

Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: We wish to appeal to the law-abiding citizens of KwaZulu-Natal to come together against a criminal syndicate that is systematically destroying this province by stealing much-needed construction machinery.

Since 2024, we have lost over R250 million worth of heavy construction machinery and transport vehicles. This machinery is critical in ensuring timely construction of new roads and the maintenance of more than 34 000 kilometers of our road networks.

Operating across all corners of the province, the criminal syndicate has stolen a total of 43 construction machines, such as TLBs, excavators, pay loaders, rollers, tipper trucks, loader backhoes, graders, LDV double cabs, and truck cranes.

Members of this ruthless criminal syndicate have brazenly hijacked staff and construction workers. In some instances they stole construction vehicles and heavy-duty machinery under the cover of darkness.
The heartless criminals use fake number plates, impersonate mechanics, and claim to have been authorized by the Department of Transport to take the construction machinery.

This tactic is used to bypass advanced security systems and to trick unsuspecting security guards.
Flowing from above, we assembled an advanced security team, which is working jointly with highly trained members of the South African Police Service’s Organized Crime Unit.

The members were deployed by KZN Provincial Commissioner Lt Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

We wish to draw the attention of the media to the following: –

• Recovered: 22 heavy construction machines and transport vehicles worth R45 million.
• Three criminals were arrested in Eshowe by Road Traffic Inspectorate. A grader was recovered, and criminals were handed over to the SAPS.
• Still missing: 21 heavy construction machines and transport vehicles worth R200 million

The theft of machinery has severely affected construction and maintenance of road networks, with communities suffering.

While we have improved construction site security and installing tracking devices in our machinery, there is a need for communities to stand together against this tiny minority of criminals.

Ends

Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya | 082 375 4742 | Spokesperson | MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Today, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, appeared before the Finance Portfolio Committee in the KZN Legislature. He was joined by Heads of Departments from both departments, Max Mbili and Zibusiso Dlamini respectively.

Key takeaways as outlined by Duma during the Budget Hearings:-

1. More than 8,835 free houses built by the Department of Human Settlements in the past financial year.

2. More than 7351 houses to be built in the 2026/2027 financial year with the Department of Human Settlements being singled out as the best performing department. And likely to receive more funding redirected from poor performing provinces.

3. There are projects dating back to 20 years ago that were delayed because of budget constraints and budget cuts.

4. Payment of invoices is progressing well with the department having dealt with invoices due for payments over 60 days and now clearing those are within 30 days.

5. R2,7 billion generated by the Department of Transport in the past financial year and money redistributed to all government departments.

6. Re-organizing of the Department with a special focus on good governance has ensured that more resources and efforts are redirected at speeding up the repair and maintenance of existing road infrastructure.

7. #NenzaniLaEzweni singled out as an impactful road safety, which has resulted in the decrease in road accidents and fatalities.

E-Hailing KwaNdengezi 3 – the security guards were denied bail and ordered to return to prison: Duma has praised the e-hailing driver and four females for their bravery despite intimidation.

He has further called for action against On Call Security company owner for making a thinly veiled threat against the e-hailing driver.

Media and Public Statement by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma

12 June 2026

Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: Last week we offered to demonstrate transparency and to continue to update the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the whole country about the case involving KwaNdengezi 3.

Shock and disbelief swept through the country after a video showing three security guards brandishing guns and harassing an e-hailing driver and female passengers weeks ago in KwaNdengezi.

We commend the excellent work of the state prosecutor and the judge who presided over the bail application in the Pinetown Magistrates Court today.

The bail application was rejected, and the three security guards were ordered to return to prison. They will reappear in court on the 17th June 2026.

It emerged in court that the e-hailing driver and the female passengers received threats after the incident. We salute them for their bravery despite intimidation.

Most shocking is the further revelation in court that the owner of On Call Security company made a thinly veiled threat against the e-hailing driver and instructed him to withdraw the case.

We don’t take such threats lightly, especially in view of the fact that in court it was revealed that the three guns belonged to the security company.

We support any decision of exploring the possibility of adding more charges against the three security guards, including the security company owner.

Importantly, in addition, we continue to express our appreciation to the Provincial Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who has deployed a team of investigators to work on this case.

We call on the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) not to be silent when the whole country is showing public disapproval of the acts of the security guards and the security company.

Finally, we urge local residents and commuters to support efforts aimed at spearheading peace and stability in the public transport sector. These efforts are championed by KwaNdengezi Police Station Commander, Colonel Mzwandile Dlamini, and the Chair of KwaNdengezi/Zwelibomvu Taxi Association, Zibuse Ngcamu.

Ends

Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya | 082 375 4742 | Spokesperson | MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Aggressive motorist facing charges of driving against oncoming traffic along the N3: Duma says RTI must continue to be firm and show no mercy.

Media and Public Statement by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: Our highly dedicated team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate risked their lives in order to save innocent road users.

They arrested an aggressive motorist who was speeding toward oncoming traffic this morning between 03:55 am and 4:15 am.

RTI found this motorist with a gun and 49 rounds of ammunition with two magazines, one of which is an extended magazine.

The arrest was effected along the N3 by a No Nonsense RTI team comprising a female officer who has earned herself a reputation of being firm against reckless drivers.

We recall that a few months ago, the same female officer received praise in various quarters for her bravery. This is after she arrested an aggressive motorist who was carrying a gun and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The motorist who was arrested this morning is facing the following charges:

1. Facing oncoming traffic in violation of the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996);
2. Reckless and negligent driving on the public road where he also overtook over a barrier line;
3. Failing to comply with the direction from the officer;
4. Resisting arrest resulting in minimum force being used against him;
5. Failing to disclose that he was in possession of a firearm.

Following our meeting with KZN Police Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last year, RTI and Operation Shanela have good working relations with the SAPS. In this regard, this gun will undergo forensic ballistics and Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) testing to check if it was used in committing crimes.

Ends

Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Enquiries Ndabezinhle Sibiya | 082 375 4742 |
Spokesperson | MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Duma has heaped praises on the recipients of awards and salutes the adjudicating committee and organizing team

Media and Public Statement by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

01 June 2026

Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: Following the successful hosting of the prestigious National Press Club and Unisa Awards Ceremony, we wish to acknowledge members of the fourth estate for their tireless efforts aimed at promoting media freedom and strengthening our democracy.

With the media having played a leading role toward the dismantling of the apartheid system, South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal in particular need a robust and strong media not only to act as the watchdog of society but also to entertain, inform, and educate.

We pause to congratulate all recipients of the awards in different categories as announced by the National Press Club and Unisa.

In view of the talent and commitment that was on display on the evening of the ceremony, we have no doubt that the adjudicating committee had a tough job of deciding the final winners.

We salute the organizing team for staging such an event to acknowledge excellence in journalism and communication and to appreciate publicly the commitment to serve the people of this country.

Among others, we wish to single out the following recipients: –

• Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KZN Provincial Commissioner: Newsmaker of the Year 2025;
• Ndabezinhle Sibiya, Spokesperson – Transport and Human Settlements Departments: Spokesperson of the Year 2025;
• Jeff Wicks, Investigative Journalist News 24 – Journalist of the Year 2025

Finally, as Transport and Human Settlements, we are alive to the fact that citizens and users of our services are more aware of their rights and are demanding more from us.

As we accelerate service delivery to meet the growing expectations of society, we commit to continue to work with all media houses to communicate our programme of action.

We thank the media for all the support over the years.

Ends

Enquiries

Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Ndabezinhle Sibiya | 082 375 4742 | Spokesperson | MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

R700 million already paid to contractors and service providers: Duma announces that an Invoice-Checking War Room will convene every Friday to check progress

Media and Public Statement by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

06 May 2026

Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: We have received calls from some contractors and service providers confirming that that they have been paid as per our commitment in our last meeting in Merebank.

As of today, 06 May 2026, we have paid R700 million to contractors and service providers.

As we emphasized, despite challenges, through collective wisdom nothing will stand between us and a prosperous KwaZulu-Natal

Importantly, today, the Head of the Department, Zibusiso Dlamini, met with the entire management as part of the implementation of the Merebank Resolutions.

It was agreed that an Invoice-Checking War Room, chaired by Head of the Department, Zibusiso Dlamini, should meet every Friday to track progress on the payment of invoices.

Flowing from above, the HoD is setting up a system and assigning a team from finance that will be on standby to communicate with contractors and service providers with a high sense of humility, honesty and professionalism.

Finally, we can state without a shadow of a doubt that management and all categories of staff have internalized the importance of ushering in a new era characterized by efficiency and speed.

Ends

Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Enquiries

Ndabezinhle Sibiya | 082 375 4742 | Spokesperson for Transport and Human Settlements

Media and Public Statement by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

05 May 2026

Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: Yesterday we had a fruitful meeting in Merebank with contractors who are responsible for the overall rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction of more than 34 000 kilometers of our road networks.

Despite challenges around delayed payments, we appreciate their solid inputs and suggestions as we work collectively to create a prosperous KwaZulu-Natal.

By and large, their inputs is an addition to collective voices, including those of leaders of political parties in the legislature who have openly expressed their support of the Department as we usher in a new era.

This era will be characterized by efficiency in the overall management of invoices for contractors and all service providers.

We wish to announce the following Merebank resolutions: –

1. Invoice-Checking War Room chaired by Head of the Department, Zibusiso Dlamini, to track progress on the payment of invoices. In this regard, we will work closely with the Provincial Treasury. We will also fast-track the return of contractors to construction sites.
2. Introduction of a new digital and automated system for the submission of invoices to ensure that no service provider receives preferences.
3. Ongoing engagement with the National Department of Transport to secure monthly payments of the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant instead of quarterly payments.
4. Limiting the funding of new infrastructure projects until the backlog of all invoices is settled.
5. To ensure financial accountability, the HoD is leading the centralisation of all finance functions, from regions, to Head Office. The centralization of issuing of orders and appointment letters to contractors and service providers will strengthen governance and close accountability gaps that have historically made it difficult to maintain a clean financial reporting.
6. Another consultative meeting within three months attended by the MEC, Head of the Department, Zibusiso Dlamini, Chief Financial Officer, Thabani Nkosi, Deputy Director-General, Simphiwe Nkosi, Chief Directors of Regions, and affected contractors. This meeting will receive a report on the progress.

Importantly, it should be remembered that last year, we supported the Department of Education by redirecting R364 million of the infrastructure budget towards scholar transport.

We successfully avoided any interruption of learning, especially for Grade 12 and other learners who had to prepare for final examinations.

In conclusion, we continue to be a leading department in terms of revenue collection. For instance, the R3 billion collected through license renewals and vehicle licensing was redirected to Treasury to be used by all government departments.

Ends

Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements

Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya | 082 375 4742 | Spokesperson for Transport and Human Settlements