WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION NOTICE

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The Newcastle Municipality wishes to inform its customers about a scheduled water supply interruption in Newcastle West and East due to the Department of Water Affairs which will be inspecting and assessing the Service Gates at Nthingwayo Dam on the 24th of February 2015. Both the raw water pipe lines will be isolated; this will result in a 70% short supply of raw water to the Ngagane water plant for the 8 hour period. This will have an impact on the supply of potable water and water outages will occur late on the 24th and definitely on the 25th up until late in the evening.
Residents are kindly requested to use water sparingly and not to water gardens on this day. The Municipality would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

For any enquiries please contact: Water Services Call Centre Telephone No.: 0860 144 144

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Water Supply Interruption Notice

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The Newcastle Municipality wishes to inform its customers about a scheduled water supply interruption in Newcastle West due to the installation of a new 700mm diameter steel pipeline that will connect to the existing showground pump station as part of our infrastructure upgrades and service improvement plans.

NOTICE NO.1
Date: 13 February 2015
Time: 5:00am to 12:00 noon.
The following areas will be affected: CBD/Town, Central, Arbor Park, Newcastle Mall, Casino, Karbochem, and Vlam Industrial area, Fairleigh, Lennoxton, Paradise and Fernwood.

NOTICE NO.2
Date: 14 February 2015 and 15 February 2015
Time: 5:00am to 2:00am.
The following areas will be affected: Amiel Park, Hutten Heights, Pioneer Park, Aviary Hill, Sunnyridge, Schuinshoogte, Signal Hill, Barry Hertzog Park, Amajuba Park and Ncandu Park.

Residents are kindly requested to use water sparingly and not to water gardens on this day. The Municipality would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

For any enquiries please contact: Water Services Call Centre Telephone No.: 0860 144 144

Municipal Manager
K Masange

HIV/AIDS remains a challenge despite improvements

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HIV/AIDS remains a large part of our lives challenges and is a continuous struggle to decrease the speed of the diseases. This was the accepted feeling during the Local AIDS Council held at the Newcastle council chamber on 15 January 2015. Present at the Local Forum were different stakeholders including government organizations, NGO’s, traditional healers and ward committee members.

During the discussion the forum dealt with matters of HIV/AIDS and were encouraged to initiate programs pertinent to the town’s demographics and challenges in relation to the diseases.

“Forums established to deal with matters of HIV/AIDS need to be spot on with their programmes, with the aim to fight AIDS; they need to understand the demographics and challenges. Parents also need to understand that teaching their children about issues of HIV forms part of their primary tasks in nurturing them” said Acting Special Programmes Manager Mrs. Dube during her opening address.

The council also noted and emphasized the need to know ones status and remain positive about it. People living with HIV shared their stories as they advised on living with the diseases. i.e. Exercising, Staying faithful, taking medication accordingly keeps one healthy and alive.

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Ms. Lizzy Masango from Red Cross (NGO) also gave an insightful presentation on their role in fighting AIDS and helping those affected. Red Cross conduct home visit to help those affected by the virus, do referrals where necessary, provide first aid assistance and educate communities about AIDS as they encourage them to test.

The council proceeded with debates which touched on many contributing factors to lack of education on AIDS. One other emphasizes was made that revealing our status is not enough, but forums that are supportive and meaningful to us and other people are needed. The Local AIDS Council is set to sit continuously in order to come up with strategies and ideas to eradicate the epidemic.

Disability Sport Day: “We all can play”

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A sense of life, euphoria and flamboyant play summed up the Disability Sport Day recently hosted by the Newcastle Municipality Special Programmes unit at Richview Hall on the 11th December 2014. This is one of the platforms that the municipality utilizes for engagement and interaction with people living with disability. Also present at the event was the Department of Health, Department of Sport and Recreation, Department of Social Development, Office of the Premier, Education Support Services Trust and NADO.
The day proceeded with full participation from all those present a variety of sporting codes were available including ; umlabalaba, netball, wheelchair basketball, tug of war, goal ball, fun walk and 100 meters sprint.

On completion participants received a certificate and winners were awarded with medals and trophies to add the cherry on top, ten basketball wheelchairs were handed over to the disability forum by Department of Sports and Recreation.

The purpose of the day was presented by Mrs Samke Dube. “We intend to listen and give everyone a sense of belonging and to strengthen our relations. Government shall always have an ear to listen to you and programmes to support you and your forums” she explained.

Furthermore, they were encouraged to come up with programmes that are directly addressing their issues, not to wait for government. “We want to get from you the milestones you have achieved, share your thoughts and ideas, never be silent partners” said Mrs. Dube.

Her sentiments were echoed by Newcastle Municipality COO Mr. Errol Mswane who manifested the great support, commitment and admiration that government has for the disable. “We love you as the Newcastle Municipality, come up with your own programmes, let us hear from you and we will surely support and advance whatever course you have” manifested Mr. Mswane.

Discrimination of people living with disability was also wildly rejected by Mrs. Maphalala from the Office of the Premier. “We need to wash out all forms of discrimination; more badly for the disabled their discrimination begins at home to communities, schools and ultimately and the workplace” said Mrs. Maphalala.

This day came as the culmination of the recently launch of Disability zones forum including of five Zones (Osizweni, Blaauwbosch, Madadeni, Inner City and Charlestown) with clear defined and distinguished mission namely community participation, team work, strategic programmes, strategic partnership, and community development respectively. During the event each zone was awarded with the certificate on their mission for participation encouragement and recognition.

Newcastle Municipality launches Help Centre on N11

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On Wednesday, 10 December 2014, the Newcastle Municipality Public Safety launched a Help Centre on the N11, which is a National Route. The 10th of December 2014 marked the end of school calendar as schools closed on this day, therefore, it was anticipated that the roads will be busy.
Present at the launch was the local Traffic Department, Fire Department and the senior management from Newcastle Municipality.
The intention of the Help Centre was to :
• Create road safety awareness
• Promote high visibility on the N11 national route
• Establish a centre where motorists can report any incidents with minimum difficulty
• Safety Education
• Create awareness on the fire services summer contingency plan (lightning, severe storms, floods and fires)

It was a first launch and it operated on a 24 hour basis, with Traffic Officials and Firefighting crews creating awareness throughout the night. Another Help Centre will be held on 29th December 2014 at a venue to be determined.

The Newcastle Municipality Public Safety requests all residents to be cautious and considerate when driving on our roads, as offenders will not be tolerated and no stone will be left unturned during this festive period. Traffic Officers will be deployed in all the areas until 31 January 2015.

Residents are requested to report any incidents and emergencies on our emergency contact number, 034 312 1222. This number is fully operational on a 24 hour basis, 365 days per year.

Public Safety wishes all road users a blessed Christmas and safe holidays.

Fire at Siyahlala-la Informal Settlements

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In the late hours of Sunday the 2nd of November 2014, a call came through the Protection services department reporting once again that a fire at broken out at Siyahlala Informal Settlement (ward 25).

Less than a month ago a similar incident had occurred when a shack burnt down from a mysterious causes resulting to the family losing all their belongings, unfortunately the lives of four people were lost.

Eight firefighters were dispersed to the site finding the whole shack engulfed with angry flames after what the community claimed was led to an explosion. On arrival firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire whilst making sure that the flames do not spread to adjacent households.”

“Bystanders informed me that there was a huge explosion. This was evident because in the shack there were two generators, two 19kg gas cylinders, two 48kg cylinders and not less than five 9kg gas cylinders. By the look of things, the shack was a fortress the way it was locked”. Said Mr. Mpeko (Acting Chief Fire Officer)

According to the SAPS the place was used as a shebeen, belonging to a widowed woman who stayed with her three children.

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” There was absolutely no way that any of the deceased would have made it out of there, the fire was too intense because of the LPG found from the generators, the lock as well made it even more impossible to save them, this is mainly why the deceased where found burnt beyond recognition”. Concluded Mr. Mpeko

The fire prevention division within the Newcastle Municipality visited the Siyahlala-la community a few weeks ago to conduct fire awareness campaigns thus giving the community Fire Safety Precautions. It was through the rising number of households and agricultural land ravaged by fires that the Newcastle Fire Service became concerned and therefore decided to visit and workshop the community.

It is a known fact that fires can never be prevented, since it`s a crucial element in preserving nature. However, they can be prevented from damaging items and areas of value.

It is therefore the role of each one of us to join efforts in the fight against unwanted fires.

The fire department had the following Fire Safety tips for the residents:

• Always remember all fires start small.
• Fires need oxygen, something to light it and something that can burn.
• Removing any of the three elements stops the fire.
• Avoid unnecessary open flames.
• Keep your property free of grown and dry vegetation.
• Make firebreaks around your property (farm).
• Check Fire Danger Index (FDI) with the Fire Protection Association (FPA) office and /or fire department before making a firebreak.
• Avoid accumulation of combustibles in an unprotected area.
• Do not take a chance with open fires on a windy day.
• Keep matches away from children
• Keep fuel can away from children
• Make sure you extinguish the fire after a braai.
• Report ALL FIRES you can see regardless of size.
• Switch off the heater and stoves when you go to bed or when leaving the house.
• Do not place heaters to close to bed linen or curtains or any combustible material.
• Do not overload electrical plug sockets.
• Do not leave children alone in the house with heater/stove on.
• Stay away from bad habits that can cause harm to life, property and environment.
• Report ALL FIRES on 034 312 1222

Newcastle Municipality launches the October Transport Month

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Picture: Mayor Afzul Rehman interacts with motorist at N11

Newcastle Municipality in partnership with different stakeholders including the Taxi Association, EMRS, SAPS, RTI and ER 24 launched the transport month on Wednesday 22 October 2014. “Today we are launching the October month a very important date on our calendar. This campaign is to ensure that both pedestrians and motorist are kept safe on our roads. But it does not stop today traffic safety is a continuous initiative of community services and the traffic said Strategic Executive Director for Community Services Mr Mandla Sithole.

The overview of the event was presented by Mr Errol Mswane the Chief of Operation. “In a nut shell we are here to inform you as the people who ensure safely on our roads that we are here for you. If we have a mayor that had holds such prestigious recognition we thus challenged to raise the bar and excel. Concluded Mr Mswane.

Mayor Afzul Rehman was present to officially launch the campaign to which he allude “October transport month, arrivals at a time when we filled with excitement preparing for the festive season, but we must also not forget to creating road safety awareness our motorist and pedestrians. Safety procedures on our roads that are going to avoid accidents and ensure that there is no loss of life.
Newcastle Municipality is the fastest growing town second to Richards Bay, in economic terms the rate in which we are growing will result to more people being mobile which means that will be more people on our roads, we have already taken several steps towards ensuring there is a reliable transport system by continuously tarring, opening and improving more roads.

In addition to ensuring that our Townships and Suburbs are paved to keep people away from the roads and our children do not play on the roads.

In the same instance the Municipality would like to involve with residents towards the promotion of a “Car free day” were residents are encouraged to use public transportation and minimise traffic congestion on roads.

Traffic officers were awarded with training Certificates and further encouraged to continue with their good work by. “When you put on your uniform you are a cut above the rest, we need to bring book the respect for the man in uniform, but with respect comes the responsibility to respect yourself first.

A heart-warming vote of thanks was given by Portfolio Councillor -Community services: Cllr Noma Kunene. “A job well done to our traffic officers who always avail themselves at any time continue to work hard.

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Seen in the picture is Director: Community services Mr Vish Govender together with the stakeholders from the Taxi Association, ER24 and EMRS

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Mayor Afzul Rehman, Cllr Noma Kunene and representative from the South African Police service hand over a Training certificate to Traffic Officer Thwala.

Newcastle Mayor wins Best Performing Mayor Award third time.

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The Municipal Excellence Awards were recently held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban on Friday 10 October 2014. The awards pay tribute to the champions of development, despite the enormous challenges in Kwazulu Natal and precisely in local government. What makes these awards even more distinctive is that they allow communities to have their say and be the judges as to whom they believe to be the best thus communities from all over Kwa-Zulu were invited to support and vote for their Municipalities in different categories presented and it was on this occasion that Newcastle Mayor Afzul Rehman was crowned as the best performing mayor of a local Municipality for the consecutive third year.

Present at the admirable event were Ministers, MEC’s, Mayors and officials from all constitutes in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Mayor James Nxumalo the Mayor of eThekwini and Host city welcomed all those in attendance “These awards seek to acknowledge municipalities that have worked harder and faster to fast track service delivery, and also to encourage municipalities to come together and share best practice in which we are all able to come together and enhance service delivery.”

Hosted by the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and led by MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube. The awards were commemorating its third anniversary since the awards began.

On this occasion we acknowledge the book of proverbs which declares “Withhold not from those who do good”, therefore tonight we acknowledge municipalities that have continued on their quest to do good. What makes these awards special is that this year we celebrate the third year since Salga and Cogta partnered to ensure that ordinary people who do their ordinary best are recognized. The Municipal Excellence Awards seek to recognize excellence in municipal practices that improve administration and service delivery. Over the past few years the Municipal Excellence Awards has allowed municipalities to share their best practice ideas with Municipalities whilst at the same time showcasing their own municipalities. The awards also seek to celebrate Kwa-Zulu Natal as a province.

Cllr Rehman began his term of office as Mayor in 2009 and since then Newcastle has seen remarkable improvement. In the past 5 years alone the municipality has spent over R2 billion rand on infrastructure development and new equipment. We have transformed the landscape with new roads, new state of the art parks, new municipal buildings and won numerous awards apart from the best performing award.

We have upgraded sewer and water, electrified more areas, built new bridges, opened new intersections, paved walkways, built more low cost houses and basically changed the lives of almost every citizen.

“We all understand that communicating with communities, listening to them, and planning around their issues, is the most powerful key to satisfied communities.” Said Mayor Rehman. Deputy Minister of Cogta Mr. Andries Nel who delivered the key note had these words to say, “The Collective presence of municipalities here today brings meaning to the motto of the province which is Sukuma Sakhe.” We also congratulate all the winners for the night and hope this will lead to an improved service delivery in the local sphere were another’s are also motivated to excellence.

Easter traffic report

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The Newcastle protection services traffic dept. embarked on numerous roadblocks during the Easter festival. Our honourable mayor councillor Afzul Rehman, our portfolio councillor N.P Kunene, the office of the municipal manager, strategic executive director Mr M.P Sithole and Director Vish Govender have made a significant contribution towards this successful exercise. Further, Chief H.Zungu, Supt.K.H Jawair, Supt. E.T Thwala and all traffic offices have also succeeded in co coordinating and playing a major role in preventing serious accidents.

The following statistics are from the 15th to the 21st April 2014:
Newcastle : 18 minor accidents
Charlestown : zero accidents
Ingogo : 2 minor accidents
Madadeni : 2 major and 12 minor accidents
Osizweni : 14 accidents

No fatalities occurred during this period and 1419 vehicles were stopped during our various blitz roadblocks.

Intervention to quell taxi violence

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AN INTERVENTION TO QUELL TAXI VIOLENCE BY NEWCASTLE MUNICIPALITY AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNITY LAISON
The taxi violence in Newcastle has been prevalent following the death of the member of the taxi Association last week. The violence has borne for more than two years and many lives has been lost since the beginning of the year, it has been getting worse ever since. The taxi associations are believed to be fighting over routes hence fuel the violence with commuters dragged in the violence.

On Tuesday last week the Newcastle municipality along with the Department of Transport and Community Liaison MEC met with five taxi Associations that are operating in the area in a bid to quell the violence. MEC Willies Mchunu signed a cooperation agreement with all five taxi associations in order to resolve taxi violence.

“The taxi industry is the black owned multi-billion rand business with no proper operating regulations and many within the industry are driven by greed as result they end up killing the competitors within the industry” said MEC Willies Mchunu.

MEC Mchunu also stated that

Today we are here to intervene, we are entering into the cooperation agreement with all taxi associations and all are expected to participate in the process.

“Here we are dealing with people who are greedy and who are hit man, any offender should be given maximum fine” he added.

As results the MEC introduced drastic measures to normalize the operation:
• Introduction of an independent facilitator to evaluate all records of the five associations to verify the legitimacy of members.
• Ensuring that the Municipality plays a leading role in ensuring there is proper management and control systems for the rank that is used by the associations
• Vetting of the security companies that are employed by the taxi associations to provide services to associations at the rank and outside
• Ensuring that the SAPS effectively deal with crime at the rank.

Newcastle Municipality intervention:
• Together with KZN Department of Transport’s Deputy Directors and local Traffic admin staff, a data base was created in order to separate legal from illegal taxis perusing the rank. This makes monitoring easier and helps curb the violence amongst taxi operators intending to monopolize the facility. Rank permits which were issued to be displayed on the legally registered vehicles and discernable emblems (stickers) issued to the various Taxi Associations. The stickers were designed in-house by Superintendent K.H. Jawair.
• Boom gates with number plate recognition devices are soon to be installed to exclude entry of unauthorized vehicles.
• The Task Team evicted the mechanics in and around the rank so as to ensure no environmental degradation. This team identified the problems that must be rectified by the relevant departments so as to ensure better traffic flow and the reinstallation of services for commuters.
• The Task Team’s deployment and presence at the rank automatically mitigated the criminal elements present- no more fighting or trading of illegal goods and no entry of persons bearing arms and ammunition in vehicles associated with the violence.

Newcastle Mayor Afzul Rehman concluded

We are working closely with the KZN Department of Transport and are confident that peace and order will prevail once the whole process starts.

As Newcastle municipality we want to create a town that is the role model in the country and are grateful for the intervention made by the department of Transport hopeful this will result in telling a good story for Newcastle” added Rehman.