Councillor Asghar Khan
ASGHAR KHAN - UMZINTO, KZN
email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Cel: 079 526 8674
Councillor Muhammad Asghar Khan was elected to the Umdoni Municipality during the 2016 LGE to represent Al Jama-ah in the Municipality. He currently serves as a full-time member on the Community Services Portfolio and Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).
Councillor Khan matriculated from the Umzinto Islamic school and went on to further his Studies at Regent Business School obtaining a Higher Certificate in Islamic Finance and Law and a Bachelor’s of Commerce degree.
Councillor Khan is the founding member of the Qaasimul ilm Foundation which is a foundation that is set up for spreading education in underprivileged communities. He currently serves as the Treasurer of the Roseville Umzinto Heights neighborhood watch and the GJ Crooks Hospital Board.
ROLES & FUNCTIONS
– Councillor at Umdoni Municipality, Umzinto, KZN
– Chairperson of Municipal Public Accounts Committee, Umdoni Municipality
– Co-chairperson of Al Jama-ah National Villagers League.
– Acting Chairperson of GJ Crookes Hospital
– Chairperson of Qaasimul Ilm Foundation
– Chairperson of Scholar Amoris School Trust
– Treasurer of Roseville and Umzinto Heights Neighbourhood Watch.
FIGHTING FOR YOU
Passionate, dedicated advocate of the marginalized. Driving change from the ground up.
Asghar Khan from Umdoni Municipality in KZN is known for his dedication to community development and social justice. As a seasoned politician with a track record of advocating for marginalized groups, he brings a wealth of experience to the provincial legislature.
At the Provincial Legislature in KZN, Khan’s presence is expected to bring a focus on issues such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and equitable access to resources. His commitment to transparency and accountability will likely lead to more effective governance and increased responsiveness to the needs of constituents.
Moreover, Khan’s emphasis on inclusivity and consultation means that he will strive to represent the diverse voices within his constituency, ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed in the legislative process. Overall, his tenure at the Provincial Legislature is anticipated to bring about positive change and improved quality of life for the people of KZN.
on air
1 DEC 2023 1 PM: Explain the state of readiness for the Parties 2024 Elections.
The upcoming national and provincial elections in South Africa may mark a turning point in post-1994 history. Al Jama-ah is a proactive political party that strives to serve all communities; its members work hard toward maintaining and sustaining a democratically elected government. The Party does not shy away from ploughing all its efforts to not only initiate positive transformation but to maintain healthy environments for all.
Asghar Khan, Councillor at Umdoni Municipality, Umzinto, KZN, Chairperson of Municipal Public Accounts Committee, Umdoni Municipality Co-chairperson of Al Jama-ah National Villagers League. Explain the state of readiness for the Parties 2024 Elections.
VILLAGERS LEAGUE REPORTS
Addressing the genocide against Muslims in China
Seeking assistance for the plight of marginalized muslims around the world
AL JAMA-AH Villagers League celebrates its 2nd Anniversary
Championing the needs of rural and semi-rural communities
The Work of the Villagers League?
The work of Al Jama-ah: Developing Rural Villages into Smart Villages
Villagers League Report | June – September 2023
Villagers League Report for activity | June – September 2023
Villagers League Report | October 2023
Villagers League National Report for activity in October
Villagers League Report | September 2023
Villagers League National Report for activity in October
Villagers League Report | August 2023
Villagers League National Report of Party activity in August 2023
Villagers League Report | July 2023
Villagers League National Report of Party activity in July 2023
EVENTS
Campaigning in the Western Cape
Al Jama-ah takes to the streets of Cape Town
Asghar Khan: Dedicated advocate of the marginalized
Dedicated to a better life for all!
AL JAMA-AH’s Lawmakers stand out in 3 tiers of government:
Al Jama-ah’s lawmakers are making an impact
National Dialogue on Coalition Governments
Hosted by the Deputy President Mashatile, 4-5 August 2023
KZN & SURROUNDS: REPORT ARCHIVES
2021 REPORTS
Councillor AK Dawood | Kwa Dukuza Municipality, Stanger, KZN.
- The 2019/2020 period reflects an underperformance of the Municipality by 17% from 64%in the previous financial year. Our service delivery rose by 11% to 47% which is still under par. Over the years the Municipality has been found wanting in energy losses, overtime, irregular expenditure, under-spending on projects, and poor service delivery. R127m has been recorded as irregular expenditure and R105m in energy losses.
- These seem to be a regular feature year in and year out. Dawood’s personal interactions with the consumers and in the media prove that we have consumers that are fed up with the service delivery provided by the Municipality. The filth and piling of refuse, the deteriorating condition of the roads, and non-functioning of street lights both in the CBD and the suburbs are regular complaints of the consumers. We are heading for a Municipal Election towards the end of this year.
- Based on the performance of our Municipality, Dawood foresees drastic changes. Although the consumers are facing dire financial constraints yet by the end of December 2020 consumer debt increased by 10% compared to the previous financial year. “I implore the Mayor, the Municipal Manager, and my fellow Councillors to join hands in speeding service delivery to our people. “
- As for the adjustment budget 2020/21, Al Jama-ah would like to congratulate the CFO for the well-balanced presentation of the adjustment budget.
- The capital budget was a good sign for the operating budget, we are well aware there are losses due to Covid. Energy losses are the main drivers towards the loss of electricity revenue due to theft and tampering
- Despite the Covid 19, AK Dawood is active on the ground helping the community with problems of electricity infrastructure with the EDs that are in charge.
- He also assisted parents who need his help to gets their kids into primary school.
- He has nominated one of his committee members, Nontukuko Thokozileto the Elembe Education district task team that will monitor school governing bodies elections in March 2021.
- Al jama-ah requested the overtime in electrical and other departments to be monitored before and in the future however, the ED of the relevant departments adhered to his call, and the overtime has been reduced significantly.
- Many other issues in terms of vacancies not filled in various departments were debated.Al jama-ah asked for those vacancies to be filled as soon as possible so employment can be created as it is budgeted for.
- A committee meeting was held on the 18th of February 2021 at our board room by Sampson’s motors. The purpose of the meeting was to identify potential candidates for the 2021 elections and the way forward.
Councillor Salim Gogga | Msunduzi Municipality, in Pietermaritzburg, KZN.
- He is still involved in food distribution, assisting citizens with municipal problems, assisting the poor and destitute as best as he can, acting as Treasurer of our Street Guard Project and Accountant for Jamiatul Ulema – KZN Midlands, amongst other initiatives.
2022 REPORTS
Councillor Kabelo Nthekiso | Langabalilele Municipality, Estcourt, KZN.
- Councillor Kabelo Nthekiso donated blankets to the needy and homeless people and donated school uniforms to needy learners at the Ikhaya Orphanage in Estcourt. He was assisted by the Progressive Students Movement (PSM) Central Command Team. Financial contributions from the private sector and monthly pledges from the PSM leaders boosted the project.
- The distribution of more uniforms will expand to other identified areas within the Langabalilele Municipality.
- Councillor Nthekiso called on all businesses and caring individuals to continue pledging towards the project.
- Fraudulent activities happening in the municipality were raised at previous council meetings. AL JAMA-AH has picked up that since 2016 councillors have not been properly paid at the Inkosi Langalibalele local municipality in Grade 4 municipality according to Cogta.
Councillor AK Dawood | Kwa Dukuza Municipality, Stanger, KZN.
- Councillor AK Dawood is involved with the Stanger Muslim Burial Services, an affiliate of the Islamic Burial Council and also maintains direct contact with the Council and Stanger Muslim Burial Service’s Covid-19 Task Team member, Mr Salim Kazi. He is therefore on a 24/7 call with the Covid-19 Task Team for any emergencies.
- He also attended a Covid-19 Task Team conference with the various role players to demonstrate the proper handling and wearing of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working with a mayyit (dead body). All finer details were discussed and demonstrated to ensure that all the affiliates are well equipped and prepared when handling a mayyit.
- During September Councillor Dawood visited the Thembeni Orphanage at Groutville where he spent time with the orphans and some of their guardians. He distributed parcels of fruit and snacks after delivering a short talk which was translated into Zulu
- Councillor Dawood managed to hand out food hampers in wards 16 and 24 in Happy Valley and Melville informal settlements earlier this month. His food distribution continued despite the police arrests of several ANC councillors who transgressed the social distancing regulations.
- He also highlighted conditions at the Stanger Hospital where several nurses and medical doctors tested Covid-19 positive and the chaos at the hospital due to strike action by staff. The police intervened and the hospital was closed.
- He also offered moral support and expressed concerns over three senior alims who succumbed to the pandemic in Stanger within three months. The alims were Moulanas Yusuf Toothla, Dawood Padia and Haniff Pandora.
- Furthermore, he attended council meetings which deliberated critical issues such as waste management, where three workers were tested positive for Covid-19 and four at the Traffic Department.
- The Council also observed that members of the public refused to adhere to social distancing and the lack of wearing masks when appearing in public.
- The Covid-19 situation is getting worse and discussions on the challenges faced by morgues, cemeteries and cremation facilities.
- At the council meetings councillor, Dawood raised concerns over the arrests of children who visited the beach during the lockdown. During the lockdown, he embarked on a clean-up campaign in Monkey Town and other areas. Al Jam-ah recruited 250 new members in the area.
- AL JAMA-AH councillor AK Dawood at Kwa Dukuza Municipality in Stanger has not slowed down with work during the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, councillor Dawood has proved that during the pandemic, the “job can be done” with the required health and safety regulations.
- Earlier this month AL JAMA-AH was the only opposition party who voted with the ruling party to elect a new executive mayor, Ms Dolly Govender. The new mayor also made history as Stanger’s first Indian female mayor since post-apartheid.
“The election of the new mayor was indeed a great achievement for the Kwa Dukuza Municipality. In our congratulations to the mayor, AL JAMA-AH emphasised the importance of an open-door policy for everyone and to ensure that service delivery does not get compromised,” councillor Dawood said.
Following the resignation of the deputy mayor, AL JAMA-AH supported in the election of the new deputy mayor, Mr Lucky Makhatini.
Working on the ground remains a priority to him as well as visiting local businesses. - Cllr Dawood is very much in demand by local businesses who sought his help to liaise with the municipality on having their electricity reconnected.
- Cllr Dawood’s vigilance led to the suspension of a payroll system of thousands of rand in overtime payments to some people working in the electrical department. The matter is currently under investigation. Raising concerns over the unemployment, he called on the Municipality to fill all job vacancies before the festive season.
- He is also involved in attending meetings to discuss the selection of a suitable AL JAMA-AH candidate to contest the by-elections in Clairwood on 11 November 2020.
- During October he was invited to represent AL JAMA-AH at a Muslim religious gathering at Ntshaweni, near Kwa Dukuza, attended by elders in the community and various high profile Muslim businesspeople.
- He donated and distributed food parcels to the less privileged families in Lindalani kwa Dukuza Stanger.
- Ak Dawood met with committee members of the Kwa Dukuza region to map forward and discuss the 2021 local government elections,the walkabout/blitz for upcoming months and the installing of a borehole at Mathubathuba North Coast KZN.
- Embarked on a journey to Mathubathuba to an area called Safela ward 10 /8/9 to identify the area where the borehole will be installed partnering with Aljamah and businessman Mr Naeem the donor.
- This project is the first major one for the Aljamah political Party in KZN and will not be the last.
- The people of the area were extremely happy for this kind gesture in a format of Ubuntu Humanitarian aid to the community at large.
Councillor Veli Luthuli | Groutville, Kwa-Dukuza.
- Councillor Veli Luthuli is very active in her ward. She has recruited hundreds of new members for the party.
- She is also actively involved in distributing food and clothing to the poor. She often addresses pertinent issues such as women’s rights, the welfare of children and the plight of the poor.
- Cllr. Luthuli is the daughter-in-law of anti-apartheid stalwart and ANC president-chief Albert Luthuli. She joined Al-Jama-ah because she was pursuing a political party with moral conscience.
- COVID-19 has placed no damper on the working spirits of AL JAMA-AH councillors in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Committed AL JAMA-AH councillor Mrs Veli Luthuli at the Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality in Estcourt is working in various fields on council matters such as how to alleviate traffic congestions, preventing fire hazards, problems at cemeteries, efficient waste removals, condition of libraries and civic halls which all fall under the Portfolio Committee on Community Services (CS) unit.
- Councillor Luthuli recently attended the PC meeting on CS unit on its performances and the revenue collected which boosts Municipal coffers. The challenges in these units were discussed and recommendations for solutions were highlighted.
- “I try my best to attend all council meetings as it is at this level where important decisions affecting communities are taken. Should urgent matters arise for discussion then a Special Council Meeting is called. There are many disagreements, but as AL JAMA-AH we scrutinise matters which will benefit communities and lead to improving social conditions, then we agree to vote with the ANC on such matters,” Luthuli said
- Performing AL JAMA-AH Party work, Luthuli also extends her work to Stanger which falls under the KwaDukuza Municipality. She also works closely with fellow AL JAMA-AH councillor, Mr AK Dawood in Stanger. These two councillors launched the first AL JAMA-AH branch in Lindelani.
- The party work they embarked on included the cleaning of public toilets, feeding orphans, distribution of AL JAMA-AH awareness pamphlets and the regular attendance of Provincial meetings in Overport in Durban.
- Luthuli has the assistance of Herbert Sithebe who helps her with campaigning for AL JAMA-AH and with other party work. Sithebe is one of several promising candidate councillors for who would like to contest the upcoming local government elections for AL JAMA-AH.
- Amongst her busy party work, councillor Luthuli is also identifying prospective councillor candidates for ALJAMA-AH to contest the local elections in 30 wards in KwaDukuza.
- Herbert Sithebe is Al Jama-ah’s contact in Estcourt.
- She donated and distributed food parcels to the less privileged families in Lindalani Kwa Dukuza Stanger.
Councillor Salim Gogga | Msunduzi Municipality, in Pietermaritzburg, KZN.
- Councillor Salim Gogga is spending much of his time in the communities to address their complaints and challenges they face. The complaints he diligently brings to the attention of the municipal officials.
- He is also involved with feeding projects for the poor, distribution of donations, initiating the building of water wells where needed, assisting with problem municipal accounts.
He says: “The municipality is in a bad management condition and one is confronted with many criticisms from the community. But we continue with our duties to proof to our people that their votes matter.
“We have erected a water well at one of the madrassas, known as the Midlands Dawah Centre. Some families have already donated the funds and there have been negotiations underway with the municipality to support the project,” Cllr Gogga said. - Saleem Goga has been busy with the usual Council and Committee meetings, assisting his constituents, feeding scheme, street guard initiative and growing the Al Jama-ah party and footprint.
- He engages in feeding schemes whereby he buys cakes, bread or similar items in bulk and packages it into smaller distributable units. These items are then distributed to persons who congregate at a place where they get picked up for daily work and others who join the queue.
- The street guard initiative is funded by residents of the street. Saleem is responsible for the collection of contributions, ensuring that the street guard is on duty, handling some concerns of street residents and other administrative and sundry matters.
CLLR KHAN: ARCHIVES
2020 | Umdoni Municipality, Umzinto, KZN.
- Councillor Asghar Khan is actively involved in all service delivery issues.
- These include the provision of water and sanitation services, Sassa queries, UIF documentation, municipal disaster management oversight and the issues related to the Covid-19 lockdown. He is known in the community to resolve water cuts issues.
- During the lockdown, disaster management unnecessarily closed the main road in Umzinto which had an adverse effect on essential businesses who were forced not to trade after 3:00pm.
- Councillor Khan wrote to the municipal manager and the executive mayor to complain about the road closure and trading restrictions and both matters were solved as businesses were then allowed to trade the normal stipulated hours during the lockdown.
- He is also involved in Covid-19 relief efforts, together with the Muslim community and his personal foundation. They have collectively assisted 2 000 different families and the foundation also distributes haleem (soup) weekly to needy families.
- The Jamiatul Ulama KZN team led by mid-south coast representative Moulana Huzaifah Ebrahim invited councillor Asghar Khan to join their team on its winter warmth project, HELP (Helping Empower Local People).
- They hand out 85 blankets and winter packs (warm hats, scarves, gloves and masks to the needy at the Roseville informal settlement. Another 150 winter warm packs were handed out to learners at Tholimfundo and Umzinto Primary Schools in St Patrick’s Road.
- In Umzinto the municipality disconnected water supply to several homes, and as an AL JAMA-AH representative, Khan provided people with buckets of water to help them through the days. Apart from the water disconnections, he also helped several people to resolve their electricity issues.
- Councillor Khan was approached by Qari Sahib of Umzinto who requested Al Jama-ah’s leadership to make representation to the government regarding the opening the mosques for worshipping. Al Jama-ah submitted a request to Cogta (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) to open the mosques with along the same Covid-19 safety regulations applied for funerals. The mosques and other places of prayers were opened and AL JAMA-AH received good media coverage on the matter.
- He assisted with the re-opening of recreational fishing and the fishing community placed their appreciation in a video on YouTube and Facebook. YouTube had over 7 500 views on this video and some 10 000 on Facebook.
- Al Jama-ah in Kzn through its hunger alleviation program, delivered much-needed assistance to approximately 300 families in the Bhungulu (Headland) area.
- Addressing the community Cllr Asghar Khan, the Al Jama-ah representative in the Umdoni Municipality, assured the community that Al Jama-ah will continue to come back to the area to ensure the development of the people. He stated “As a political party we work with many organisations and formations to deliver assistance to our people”
- Al Jama-ah has a membership base of 100 people in the area.
AL JAMA-AH COUNCILLOR RAISING ISSUES AT COUNCIL MEETINGS:
- The following is a summary of the input made by Al Jama-ah counsellor Asghar Khan at the council meeting on 30 September 2020, at Umdoni Municipality in Umzinto, KZN.
- The councillor raised the lack of maintenance of streetlights. He was then invited to assist with the appointment of contractors to carry out the maintenance on streetlights.
- The party supported the recommendation from exco that stalls at the bus rank in Umzinto be given to the members of the Traditional Healers’ Association.
- Al Jama-ah sought clarity on the accounts for the work that had taken place on stalls following an irregularity on the disposal and verification of assets. Al Jama-ah suggested these need to be investigated further by the MPAC. AL Jama-ah rejected the motion on the grounds that the DA aimed to use this motion to play cheap gallery politics. The motion made many allegations without providing credible examples to substantiate and prove the allegations.
- On the Covid-19 expenditure report, Al Jama-ah made it clear that the report was really below standard and an insult to the council. Al Jama-ah called for accurate reports and reiterated that corruption will never be condoned.