A successful engagement between the City and the uMhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association was held, where a plan of action to address service delivery challenges was discussed.

ETHEKWINI Municipality and the uMhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA) have vowed to work together to find lasting solutions to address service delivery challenges in the area. The leadership of the Municipality, led by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda and eThekwini Speaker Councillor Thabani Nyawose, met with the URRA at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Leading the URRA delegation was Terry MacLarty who said that as ratepayers, they want to make sure that residents get value for money for the services rendered by the City. “One of our challenges is retail outlets that are operating outside regulated hours.

This results in noise pollution and crime and contravention of the City’s by-laws,” said McLarty. Other issues raised included sewer spillages and the malfunctioning of the Ohlange Pumpstation as well as the construction of the public transport facility for buses and taxis around the uMhlanga Oceans Mall. She said these challenges affect tourism and impact the economy of the area. In response to the challenges raised, the Municipality said it is working with the taxi industry to finalise consultations of a new holding area for taxis and buses. 

The site has already been identified. The City assured ratepayers that roadworks around the Oceans Mall will be completed in October this year. Regarding law enforcement, Metro Police has beefed up its personnel by 35 members in the area to maintain high visibility. They will be conducting joint operations with the South African Police Service. To address water and sanitation challenges, the Municipality has recently repaired the Ohlange Pumpstation which is being constantly monitored to ensure that it operates smoothly. The Municipality has also reprioritised the budget to ensure that its water and sewer infrastructure is functional. For the Ohlange Pumpstation, the Municipality has allocated R10 million. 

McLarty thanked the City leadership for creating a conducive space to discuss issues. “We are encouraged by the responses provided by the City and we are looking forward to working together to ensure that the resolutions taken from the meeting are implemented.” Mayor Kaunda commended the Speaker for convening the meeting and conveyed his gratitude to the ratepayer association for engaging with the City constructively and amicably. “This indicates that we all have the best interests of the City at heart. We want to assure you that we are working tirelessly to make eThekwini a preferred destination for investment and tourists.”