ETHEKWINIWEEKLY BULLETIN

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26 January 2018 [Issue 108]By 2030 eThekwini will be Africa’s most caring and liveable City

“KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW”

ETHEKWINI Mayor Zandile Gumede praised the hard work and dedication of the

matric class of 2017 at the annual Mayoral Matric Awards Ceremony.The City’s top performing learners from the eThekwini district, the top 10 pupils from previously disadvantaged schools, as well as schools that obtained a 100 percent pass rate were honoured at the event held today, 26 January at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.Previously disadvantaged schools that saw an improvement of 30 percent or more in the pass rate were also recognised and their efforts lauded. Laptops and bursaries were awarded to the

top performing learners and schools by sponsors working with the City.The sponsors included Nedbank, AfriSam, Coca Cola Beverages South Africa and PricewaterhouseCoopers.Mayor Gumede said the purpose of the event was to celebrate the top achievers from the City which comprises two districts, that of Pinetown and uMlazi. “This event is held to encourage schools, teachers and learners to do better every year. We do this based on the understanding that education is the main key to success.”Mayor Gumede said while education is not located at local government, as councillors they understand the importance of education in developing communities.

“This is the reason we have strong working relations with the department of education led by MEC Khethomthandayo Dlungwana. We want to see real improvements in our schools and we believe we can do so by working together. We need an educated nation and liberated youth.”She again congratulated the achievers for making the City proud saying: “If you need assistance from the City, our doors are open.”City Manager Sipho Nzuzu delivered the welcome address. “We salute you on your momentous achievement and celebrate with you. The matric awards ceremony, which was started 18 years ago, is to honour deserving learners from the City who have excelled in their National Senior Certifi cate

examinations.”He encouraged learners to continue to work hard.“It is important to recognise the hard work principals and the top performing learners have put in to achieve the outstanding results. Anything of worth is not easy to achieve and sacrifi ces have to be made. But as you sit here today you are testament to where hard work takes you.”He also briefl y outlined some of the learnership and youth programmes offered by the City and urged youth to grab these opportunities.Deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer, offi cials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and other City leadership were also present at the event.

MATRIC CLASS OF 2017 HONOURED AT MAYORAL MATRIC AWARDS

Mayor Zandile Gumede with Ebrahim Shaik from Nedbank who has partnered with the City to host the annual Mayoral Matric Awards for the past 11 years. The top learners in the eThekwini district as well as the top 10 learners from disadvantaged schools were honoured at the Mayoral Matric Awards held today, 26 January. The learners were awarded laptops as well as bursaries courtesy of Mayor Gumede and sponsors including AfriSam, Nedbank, Coca Cola Beverages South Africa and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

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A NUMBER of potential initiatives to empower eThekwini residents as well as possible research and youth exchange programmes were discussed at a high level meeting between eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and representatives from the United States embassy.Mayor Gumede met with

Charge d’Affairs Jessye Lapenn who is in charge of the entire United States of America Diplomatic mission in South Africa including the embassy in Pretoria and the consulates in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town as well as Consul General Sherry Sykes. Sykes, who was appointed to

the position recently, is based in Durban.The meeting, held in the

Mayoral Parlour at City Hall on 25 January, was also attended by representatives from the Premier’s Office as well as City leadership.Mayor Gumede expressed

her delight at hosting the American delegation and the possible fruits of the ensuing partnership. “I welcome you on

ETHEKWINI AND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA STRENGTHEN TIES

behalf of the City. Thank you for supporting us as a country and as a City and I look forward to working with you.” She said one of her goals,

through the partnership, was to grow the local economy.“New Orleans is a port City

and they are doing good work there. We can learn a lot from them as our sister city.”

Lapenn said their visit displayed their government’s commitment to the City which she enthused was a “good place to live”.She said they were one of a

few countries to have a consul general based in Durban which showed their commitment to Durban and KZN. “We see so much potential for growth in

South Africa, and KwaZulu-Natal plays an important part in that. We are increasing our interest and investment in growing urban areas.”Sykes said a detailed report

outlining their programmes would be sent to the Mayor’s Office with regular meetings held to provide progress made.

From left: Charge d’Affairs Jessye Lapenn, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and Consul General Sherry Sykes exchange gifts after a meeting held at City Hall on 25 January to discuss how the City and the United States of America could work together on a number of empowerment programmes. Mayor Gumede gifted Lapenn with a portrait of former President Nelson Mandela.

FROM successfully apprehending hijackers in high speed car chases to uncovering fraud syndicates, a new crime fighting unit in the City is determined to rid the south of Durban of crime. The Special Projects Unit, a division of the Durban Metro Police was launched in September 2017 to ensure that crime is reduced in the areas south of the City.Between 1 to 25 January,

the Unit has recovered 20 stolen and hijacked vehicles. Three scrap yards were also raided in Isiphingo. Three men were arrested for cable theft belonging to Transnet during the raid. Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad said that the Unit is made up of a commander, four captains, and 20 police officers. “The team mainly deals with crime, enforcing Municipal by-laws

and conducting roadblocks.” The Unit’s Commander,

Superintendent Kacey Naicker said since its inception some of the major successes for the Unit included the arrests of ‘kingpin’ hijackers and a key suspect involved in the Glebelands Community Residential Unit murders. Over 150 vehicles have been recovered. In the north of Durban, a joint operation

arrested six people in Phoenix on 25 January. During the raid, police recovered R97 156 in cash, two pistols, a shotgun, 64 live rounds of ammunition, 1 836 heroin caps, 138 heroin straws, 80 large crack cocaine pieces, 30 mandrax tablets, three cocaine bags, two ecstasy pills and 186g of dagga. The gang is believed to have a network that spans across the country.

METRO POLICE SPECIAL FORCE CLAMPS DOWN ON CRIME IN THE CITY

ISSUE 108 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN 3

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THE City has taken a tough stance by intensifying compliance in the scholar transport sector following 231 charges being laid on vehicles since the start of the academic year.The on-going joint road

safety operation by eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) and Metro Police aims to minimise road accidents involving vehicles ferrying scholars. Five children were killed on 11 January 2017 when a minibus taxi collided with a bus in Ntuzuma, north of Durban.ETA offi cial Nhlakanipho

Myeza said this operation will ensure compliance from scholar transport and other modes of public transport.

COMPLIANCE EFFORTS INTENSIFIED TO IMPROVE SCHOLAR TRANSPORT

During road safety operations conducted between 17 and 24 January, 231 charges were laid on vehicles in various areas in eThekwini. These charges include worn out tyres, overloading, unlicenced

vehicles, suspended vehicles operating illegally and expired or no driver’s licence. During the operations, offi cials confi scated makeshift seats which contributed to overloading.

EThekwini Transport Authority offi cial Kemang Moshesh assessing the condition of a vehicle transporting scholars during a road safety operation conducted in partnership with Metro Police at Nsimbini on 22 January.

Formal businesses are urged to renew their business license before 31 January 2018 in order to continue operating in the City legally.

PARENTS USING SCHOLAR TRANSPORT SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR THE FOLLOWING IN THE VEHICLE:• Operating license

and the Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) in accordance with the National Land Transport Act (NLTA).

• Passenger Liability Insurance.

• The vehicle needs to have seatbelts for each learner.

• The vehicle should be in a roadworthy condition (the vehicle service record should be accessible when requested).

• The vehicle must have a fi rst aid kit and a fi re extinguisher at all times which is checked and serviced regularly.

• Learners should be picked up and dropped off at a secure, clearly demarcated area that is off road.

ETHEKWINI Municipality is calling on all businesses that are licensed with eThekwini Business Licensing Department to renew their licences before 31 January 2018. This is to ensure compliance and proper management of businesses in the City. They can do this at their

nearest Business Licensing Offi ces, where they initially applied for their business licenses. The Municipality’s Business

Licensing Manager, Qondi Liqwa, said this procedure is conducted annually and is very critical under Section 15(1) of the Businesses Regulations in terms of the Businesses Act 71 of 1991. The Act requires that every

license holder must every year confi rm that the business, for which the license was issued, is continuing to be conducted from the premises specifi ed in

ETHEKWINI CALLS FOR BUSINESSES TO RENEW LICENSES

the license. Furthermore, that no other business for which a license is required in terms of the Businesses Act is being conducted from the same licensed premises.Liqwa said in some cases

businesspeople would branch into other businesses utilising the same license, which is

unlawful because, for an example, restaurant regulations are not the same as regulations governing the running of a nightclub. “We will conduct inspection raids after the stipulated period to catch defaulters. Those who will not have renewed their business licenses by that time, their

licenses will lapse and the enforcement personnel of the Business Licensing Department will prosecute them for trading without a license. They will have to re-apply for licenses which has cost implications whereas renewing a business license is free,” she added. To-date, the Municipality

has issued about 10260 business licenses to businesses including food establishments, health and entertainment facilities as well as accommodation establishments.

For more information and clarity on the renewal process, contact the Business Licensing Department on the following offi ce numbers:Central Region : 031 311 4535

North Region : 031 322 1803

South Region : 031 311 5870

West Region : 031 3116209

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Email: gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za

If you would like to submit feedback or contribute to eThekwini Weekly Bulletin

EDITORIAL TEAMEDITOR: Tozi Mthethwa • CONTENT EDITOR: Gugu Sisilana • SUB-EDITOR: Nondumiso

Mathomane • WRITERS: Charmel Payet, Jessie Singh, Romita Hanuman-Pillay, Nonduduzo

Ngcongo, Silindile Maluleka and Jessie Singh • DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Zakhe Ntshingila

THE deadline for input and submissions for eThekwini Municipality’s draft Rates Policy is 31 January 2018. Ratepayers are encouraged to thoroughly read through the policy and provide feedback.The City’s Rates Policy is

based on the Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA). Municipalities are expected

to be self- funding with Municipal income raised from three main sources which are service charges for water usage, electricity usage and property rates. The income derived from the payment of rates by residents and business owners is used to pay for a range of public services, from roads maintenance and traffic lights to providing and maintaining parks, libraries, clinics, recreation centres and other similar services used by the public.

MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PAYMENTRates are payable monthly or annually. Property owners should ensure that the City has their current and correct postal address and updated information so they can receive their account statement timeously. Even if you do not receive a statement, you are still liable to pay for your rates and other service charges. To view their monthly bills at their convenience, customers can register online for e-services.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE POLICY? The most important highlight of the 2018/19 Draft Rates Policy is the determination

DEADLINE LOOMS FOR COMMENTS ON THE CITY’S DRAFT RATES POLICY

of Special Rating Areas (SRA). It is established to fund supplementary services, in addition to those already supplied by the Municipality. Any owner or group of owners may initiate the process by establishing a steering committee. These SRA’s aim to improve or

upgrade the area and are based on the needs of that particular area. Property owners that fall within an SRA are liable to pay additional rate charges. Some of the reasons an area will fall into this category is for regeneration and upliftment, investment promotion, addressing economic barriers and contributing to an attractive, safe and people-

GET A COPY OF THE POLICYCopies of the policy are available for viewing at Sizakala Centres, Libraries, at City Hall and on www.durban.gov.za Comments may be sent to Nokulunga Nzuke via

email: nokulunga.nzuke@durban.gov.za or

hand delivered to the 2nd Floor, Florence Mkhize Building or

posted to PO BOX 828, Durban, 4000 or

faxed to 031 305 2730

centred public realm. The additional rate must not exceed 25 percent of the Municipal rates payable.

WHY COMMENT ON THE POLICY? Public participation will ensure that regulations are complied with, in this instance, Section 4 and 5 of the Local

Government Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 6 of 2004 where the Rates Policy is required to be reviewed annually and amended if necessary. All comments and suggestions will be taken into consideration before finalising and adopting the 2018/19 rates policy.

EThekwini Municipality’s draft Rates Policy is out for public comment and residents are urged to give input by 31 January 2018.