Mayor Kicks Off Budget Roadshow In Ward 1, Charlestown

 

STATEMENT ON THE MAYORAL BUDGET ROADSHOW IN WARD 1 IN CHARLESTOWN COMMUNITY HALL

24th April 2018

To: All Media Houses

Re. Statement

His Worship the Mayor of Newcastle Local Municipality, Cllr. EM Nkosi has as part of his duties reflected in the Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003, and the Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000 a process that precedes to the adoption of the Budget for the 2018/19 Financial Year.

During a roadshow in ward 1 in Charlestown, the Mayor interacted with the community in the program of opening and handing over to the community the completed projects, these projects were championed and implemented by the Technical Services department and are explained as follows;
 – The Water Treatment Plant; this project is complete and forms part of the promised projects in assisting the community of Charlestown towards its development. This project will also assist the Charlestown community to access clean and safe drinking water.
 – The Charlestown Electrification Program; it will be remembered that this program came as a response to an outcry from the people of Charlestown who had not been without electricity. A visit to light 256 electrified houses happened for the first time in this area. This project is complete and the Mayor apologised to the community of Charlestown for taking a long time to electrify the area.
 – The opening of the Nek Road; this road has also been completed in Charlestown.
The Mayor also announced the Charlestown Housing Project, this project will be done in conjunction with the Infrastructural Developmental Program, and this means that the construction of the houses will be done concurrently with the development of Infrastructure including the road construction and the electrification.

The Construction of the new Library to a tune of R 18 Million has already began in Charlestown, this project is soon to be completed and will be opened and handed over by the Mayor together with the Department of Sports and Recreation under the stewardship of MEC Bongi Sthole-Moloi.

The Mayor during his address to the Communities has condemned the violent actions of the Charlestown community in an attempt to address their grievances he urged them to communicate properly using the structures as designed by the legislation.

For Enquiries

Sphiwe Mazibuko
Communications (Office of the Mayor of Newcastle Local Municipality)
0818144108

Mayor Cllr E.M Nkosi and Speaker Cllr JCN Mkhwanazi cutting the ribbon during the opening and handover of the Water Treatment Plant.

 

Mayor accompanied by the Chief Whip and Councillors at the opening and handover of Nek Road.

 

Community of ward 1 came out in their numbers.

 

Mayor, Cllr E.M Nkosi during his address.

 

The Water Treatment Plant

Delay In Processing April 2018 Accounts

The Newcastle municipality wishes to advise that there has been a delay in the processing of the April 2018 municipal accounts. This has arisen due to the change in the vat legislation increasing the vat rate from 14% to 15%. Apologies are tendered for the inconvenience.

Winnie Madikizela Mandela – 1936-2018

“Preventing the conflicts of tomorrow means changing the mindsets of the youth today.”

Winnie Madikizela Mandela – 1936-2018

Mother of the nation… we salute you.

 

KZN Rental Housing Tribunal

“HAVING PROBLEM WITH YOUR LANDLORD OR YOUR TENANT?”

 

THE KWAZULU-NATAL RENTAL HOUSING TRIBUNAL IS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY ESTABLISHED BY THE MEC, IN TERMS OF SECTION 7 OF THE RENTAL HOUSING ACT (ACT NO 50 OF 1999), TO RESOLVE DISPUTES BETWEEN TENANTS AND LANDLORDS ARISING OUT OF UNFAIR PRACTICES.

THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE TRIBUNAL IS TO PROMOTE STABILITY IN THE RENTAL HOUSING SECTOR BY RESOLVING DISPUTES THAT ARISE BETWEEN TENANTS AND LANDLORDS IN RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS (FLATS, HOUSES, SHACKS, BACKROOMS/OUTBUILDINGS, APARTMENTS, HOSTEL ROOMS, ETC).

THE SERVICES OF THE RENTAL HOUSING TRIBUNAL ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE, AT NO COST TO PARTIES TO THE DISPUTE AND THERE IS NO NEED TO INVOLVE ATTORNEYS. THE TRIBUNAL IS TASKED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES TO EDUCATE, PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ADVISE TENANTS AND LANDLORDS WITH REGARDS TO THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.

 

THE POWERS & FUNCTIONS OF THE TRIBUNAL
In terms of the Rental Housing Act (Act No. 50 of 1999) and the Regulations thereof, the Rental Housing Tribunal is vested (assigned) with rights and obligations to.
• Receive complaints lodged by either Tenants or Landlords
• Conduct Mediation or Hearings to resolve disputes between Tenants and Landlords.
• Rule that any person must comply with a provision of the regulations relating to unfair practices.
• Make any ruling that is just and fair to terminate any unfair practice, including, without detracting from the generality of the aforegoing, a ruling to discontinue

– Overcrowding
-unacceptable living conditions
-exploitative rentals
-lack of maintenance
• Refer a matter for investigation to the relevant competent body or local authority where it would appear that the provisions of any law have been or are being contravened.

 

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TRIBUNAL

• Receipt and investigation of complaints
• Resolution of disputes through mediation or hearing
• Education Programmes to Tenants and Landlords with regards to their rights and obligations
• Provision of advice and information with regard to lease agreements

 

COMMON UNFAIR PRACTICES IN THE RENTAL HOUSING SECTOR

Unfair Practice refers to any act or omission by a landlord or tenant in contravention of this Act or a practice prescribed as practice unreasonably prejudicing the rights or interests of a Tenants or Landlord. May, amongst other things, relate to-
• The changing of locks
• Non-Refund of Deposits
• Non-Payment of Rental
• Failure to Maintain the property
• Damage to property
• Forced entry and obstruction of entry(illegal lockout)
• Eviction
• Disconnection of services
• Illegal attachment of goods
• Demolitions and conversions
• House rules, subject to the provisions of the Sectional Titles Act, 1986 (Act No. 95 of 1986), where applicable
• Intimidation
• Issuing of receipts
• Tenants committees
• Municipal services
• Nuisances
• Overcrowding and health matters
• Tenant activities
• Reconstruction and refurbishment work

 

WHO CAN LODGE A COMPLAINT?

Tenants, Landlords, Institutions, Bodies Corporate, Tenant’s Associations and Property Managing Agents who either reside, manage or own such Residential Rental Property within the KwaZulu-Natal Province.

 

HOW TO LODGE A COMPLAINT:

Complaint lodged with the Tribunal must be in writing on the prescribed Tribunal Complaint Form. Complaint may be lodged as follows-
• By mail to the offices of the Tribunal
• By fax to the office of the Tribunal,
• At the relevant Rental Information office in the Municipality

 

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL INFORMATION OFFICE OR OUR MAIN OFFICE

Municipal Information Office:

Address : Newcastle Municipality
Human Settlements Unit, 4th Floor
No 37 Murchison Street, Newcastle,

Contact Details : Ms. Ayanda Khalipa or Ms. Nokuthula Mtshali Tel: 034 328 7600

OR

Physical Address: 9th Floor Eagle Building (Murchies Passage), 353-363 Dr. Pixley ka Seme (West Street), DURBAN, 4001
Postal Address : Private Bag x54328, DURBAN, 4000
Tel. No. : 031 372 1800/3/4/6 /8
Fax : 031 372 1831/16/28
Email : info.rht@kzndhs.gov.za

“DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE. ENJOY THE PROTECTION OF THE LAW.”

Invitation: Newcastle Budget Speech & State of The Town Address

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND

The Newcastle budget speech & state of the town address, by the honourable Mayor. Cllr. EM Nkosi.

Date: 04 April 2018
Venue: Newcaste Show Hall
Dress code: Formal
Time: 18h00pm

Human Rights Day

“THE CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA”

The 21st of March which is known as Human Rights Day, on this day all South African commemorates the fallen heroes of the Sharpville Massacre. On this day we honor and remember all those who died for standing up against the unjust “Pass Laws” of the brutal apartheid system.

This year we celebrate the centenary of the birth of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, we shall intensify our efforts to realize his vision of a united South Africa in which all live in peace with equal rights and opportunities.

We shall renew our focus on Mandela’s vision of non-racial society in which the social and economic barriers that have separated black from white are torn down.

We must work to fulfill Madiba’s vision of a democratic society in which all citizens have equal opportunity to determine their own destiny. We must rally all Newcastle communities behind this vision as we continue to unite our people.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” by Nelson Mandela

Quotation: VENUE AND CATERING FOR DISABILITY SUMMIT: 27 FEBRUARY 2018

Date: 12 February 2018
Supply Chain Management Unit
Quotation No: QUO-DS001-2017/18

VENUE AND CATERING FOR DISABILITY SUMMIT: 27 FEBRUARY 2018

The OFFICE OF MUNICIPAL MANAGER is looking for eligible and accredited service providers to submit written quotations as detailed in the enclosed specifications.

Sealed quotations, addressed to the Supply Chain Management Unit and marked “Quotation Number:” must be placed in the quotation box provided in the foyer of Newcastle Municipality – Civic Offices – Tower block 1st floor, 37 Murchison Street, Newcastle by no later than 12:00 on Wednesday 21 February 2018. Please note that no quotations received after the closing time will be considered.

__________________________________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS

The following conditions will apply:

a. Quotation document to be completed by the bidder should be collected from Supply Chain Management Offices at no cost to the bidder. (Free of charge)

b. On submission of the quotation document collected, it should be accompanied by the quotation and after required documents (SARS status pin page, CSD number, latest Municipal Rates account for your business premises and BBBEE Certificate) The format of the quotation must adhere to the following:
1. Quotation must be on the company letterhead and made out to the Newcastle Municipality, clearly indicating a “Quotation Number:”
2. Quotation must be clearly dated and valid for at least 30 days.
3. If you are a VAT vendor, VAT number must be indicated on the quotation. VAT number of the Newcastle Municipality (4000791824) must also be indicated on the quotation.
4. Price(s) quoted must be firm and must be inclusive of VAT.

c. No contract shall be concluded with any bidder whose municipal rates, taxes and municipal services charges are in arrears. No contract shall be concluded with any bidder whose tax matters (SARS) are not in order.

Failure to comply with these conditions may invalidate your offer.

Enquires (Procurement Official)
Name: Sabelo Vilakazi

Volunteers Working Together in Keeping Newcastle Clean

Volunteers from Madadeni , Osizweni and Blaauwbosch area came together to keep Newcastle clean

In a collective effort to keep Newcastle clean, The Newcastle Municipality’s department of Community Services with the help from Volunteers took the initiative to work together to clear the refuse that has been pilling-up in various open spaces within the city.

Every week a new place that needs extensive cleaning is identified and on a Friday morning, these places are visited.

“We have devised a plan to make certain that Newcastle remains the best city to live in and also to make certain that health hazards are halted. We have dedicated our Fridays to cleaning every corner of this town,” affirmed Dr P.D Thabethe Acting Strategic Director for Community Services.

This is what saw Volunteers from Madadeni, Osizweni and Blaaubosch together with Newcastle Municipality putting on their gloves to clean waste next to the Rosary Clinic in the Blaaubosch area on the 2nd of February 2018.
This programme has been rolled out in all the areas in Newcastle and we would like more people to get involved in helping us achieve our aim” continued Thabethe. These volunteers have already sorted out areas in and around Madadeni, Osizweni and Blaauwbosch and they continue to maintain these areas.

Skips are placed in various open spaces and the community is urged to utilise them. The Municipality urges the community to make use of the skips provided to them to dump their garden refuse and not around it.
Household refuse is picked up weekly and refuse bags should be taken out in the morning, Waste Removal and bag collection roster is available on the Newcastle Municipality.

Volunteers clearing waste in a open veld near the Rosary clinic

Community Leader Sandile Mthembu throwing his refuse bag in a skip

Volunteers clearing diapers that were thrown all over the place

OSS Municipality Workshop

Seen on the picture chairing the workshop is, Mr M.I Mhlanga (Local Task Team), Mr T. Mkhasibe (Special Programmes) and Mr S. Khanyi (Cogta)

On the 1st of February 2018 Newcastle Municipality (Special Programmes unit) in conjunction with Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) held a workshop for all the war room conveners, secretaries and government departments that are in Amajuba District. The purpose of this workshop was to engage with all relevant stakeholders that form part of the war rooms and OSS and also to give an insight on what is Operation Sukuma Sakhe as it was explained as an initiative that has a ‘whole of Government approach’ as its philosophical basis.

Dr. N.Y Mahlubi, Newcastle Municipality’s PR Councillor who is also the District Task Team Chairperson was one of the speakers present on the day. Dr. Mahlubi said that Operation Sukuma Sakhe spells out all initiatives that are implemented by the different sector departments and the spheres of government…therefore delivery of services is a required partnership with community, stakeholders and government. She further explained that Operation Sukuma Sakhe is a continuous interaction between Government and the communities and that these two sectors must work together to achieve the 12 National Outcomes.

Provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) team was also represented by Mr Sthembiso Khanyile who explained that Operation Sukuma Sakhe is under Public Participation Directorate in the department of Cogta and further outlined the challenges they are facing with this initiative.

The Department of Development Planning & Human Settlement within the municipality was also part of the program, Mr S Cindi who is an Acting Manager for Land Use Management explained all the Municipal By-laws that are in place. Other Government departments like Dept. of Labour (Nonkululeko Mtambo), Dept. of Home Affairs (Nhlanhla Magasela), SASSA (Bongani Myeni) and Dept. of Health (Mrs G Xaba) were also present. Each department outlined its core mandate and they pledged their support on OSS and all its structures in place.
The workshop was a success as fruitful discussions took place and most of the concerns were addressed.

War room members, conveners, Secretaries, government departments, NGOs and Forum members

University Bids – Erratum

ERRATUM

Bid Description : Expression of interest to conduct a Feasibility Study for the proposed establishment of a University in Newcastle Local Municipality in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province.

Bid number : A026-2017/18.

Please Note :
The above bids were published on the Newcastle Municipality website, Municipality Notice Board, Ilanga Newspaper dated 01 February 2018 and Newcastle Advertiser dated 02 February 2018 where the closing date was incorrectly written as 16 February 2018. The correct closing date for this bid is Monday 26 February 2018.

Procurement Enquiries: S Vilakazi or S Dlamini (034 – 328 7818/ 7701)