Safety and security a priority

ETHEKWINI Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda announced recently that additional measure are being implemented to ensure the safety of all. This comes after popular South African rapper Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes was killed on Florida Road on 10 February. Mayor Kaunda, together with the municipality's Executive Committee and senior management, joined members of the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa in a prayer and wreath laying ceremony on 13 February. The ceremony was held outside the restaurant where Forbes was killed. During this visit Mayor Kaunda reassured residents, and visitors that the Municipality is tightening security around the precinct and in other areas in and around the City. He said before the incident, the Municipality already had plans to beef up security. This included the recruitment of 200 new metro police recruits who joined the municipality in November last year while the recruitment process for a further 200 officers is underway. He said further measures include ensuring the Metro Police satellite station on Florida Road is open 24/7 with additional patrol vehicles. ''The installation of CCTV cameras to be linked with police operations is underway. We are also strengthening relations with the South African Police Services, Urban Improvement Precinct and other institutions to ensure safety. There are also new satellite Metro Police stations at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and in Inanda. We also have a Metro Police Bicycle Patrol Unit for increased police visibility,'' he added. ''We remain committed to intensifying the fight against crime'', said the Mayor. 

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25 Years of the Durban Business Fair

REGISTRATION for the jubilee celebration of eThekwini Municipality's signature business exhibition, the Durban Business Fair (DBF) is now open. The DBF will take place from 22 to 24 September at the Durban Exhibition Centre. The DBF is one of the innovative economic development programmes hosted by the Municipality to ensure that small and medium businesses remain active and are included in the radical economic participation of the City's economy. Download the registration form using this link: http://bit.ly/3YfbIsb Alternatively, visit www.durban.gov.za to download the application form or visit the 7th floor, Embassy Building, Anton Lembede Street to obtain registration forms. You can also email: admin@lomes.co.za to request for an application form. The City celebrates 25 years of the DBF which is a milestone. A concerted effort has been made by the Municipality to grow the Fair over the past two and a half decades. This year's DBF promises to be bigger and better featuring more businesses and encompassing many empowerment and development opportunities. A tiered payment system has also been introduced this year. If you pay the full exhibition price by 31 March, you qualify for the early bird discount. Normal fee payments close on 28 April. There is a penalty fee for any late registration. Don't wait, register now and benefit from the early bird discount. For enquiries, businesses can contact Mnqobi Mthethwa on 061 006 6162. 

EThekwini Municipality Debt Relief Programme

 

By Fred Felton | Feb. 24, 2023

There is still time for eThekwini Municipality customers to take advantage of the debt relief programme which is offered by the City.  

There is still time to take advantage of the City's debt relief programme. | Photo: Supplied

The Debt Relief Programme makes sure that customers can settle their outstanding debt and all interest accrued will be reversed. This programme is ideal for customers whose debt is 90 days and longer.

EThekwini Municipality and the customer will enter into an agreement with a plan of payment that doesn’t exceed 36 months and is based on the customer’s affordability.

So far over R119 million has been collected from instalments paid through the previous debt relief initiative.

‘’We have responded to the plight of customers who have requested an extension of the programme. We are aware of the financial difficulties that many customers face due to recent disasters experienced in the City and the current tough economic situation. As a caring City we do as much as we can to assist our customers,’’ said Ms Lindiwe Khuzwayo, Head of Communications, eThekwini Municipality.

Customers are required to put a down payment of five percent down for residential customers and 10 percent is required for business customers of the total debt. This amount will be payable up front.  Historical interest that has been accumulated will be written off. No future interest will be raised on the debt until the customer has paid the debt in full. This is provided that the customer complies with the agreement.

If the customer defaults on the agreement interest will be reinstated. Further to the interest write-off, dependant on the number of months the customer will choose, a percentage of the capital write-off will be done.

How to apply for the programme:

Customers that stay in the northern region of eThekwini Municipality who would like to take up this programme can visit any of the Sizakala Centres: oThongathi, Verulam, Phoenix and KwaMashu.

Residents in the western region can visit Sizakala Centres in Pinetown, Mpumalanga, Hillcrest, KwaDabeka and Clermont.

Customers in the south can visit Sizakala Centres in Cragieburn, KwaMnyandu, uMlazi Megacity, and Kingsburgh to apply for the programme before it closes.

The deadline to apply for this programme is the end of February 2023.