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Community fights proposed ward boundary change in Chatsworth
Community fights proposed ward boundary change in Chatsworth

IOL News

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • IOL News

Community fights proposed ward boundary change in Chatsworth

The Mobeni Heights Civic Association is opposing adjustments by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB). Image: eThekwini Municipality RESIDENTS of Mobeni Heights and Havenside are uniting against a proposed ward boundary change that threatens their community ties and access to essential services ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE). This move would see the geographic area change from ward 69 in Chatsworth to ward 74 in Lamontville. The respective civic associations are now on a vigorous 'fight back' campaign to object to the proposed ward boundary change. Community leaders claimed that they had not been notified of the proposed move, which was brought by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), ahead of the 2026 LGE. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Denzil Davan, chairperson of the Mobeni Heights Civic Association said they were leading the fight against the proposed changes which 'threatened to split a tightly knit community, severing decades of civic and social cohesion'. 'I stumbled upon the proposal while I was doing an internet search for a map of ward 69. We did not see any advert or media reports, and we were not notified of the public consultations. 'I immediately informed the civic committees and we started reviewing and objecting to the demarcation. The proposal seeks to move Mobeni Heights and part of Havenside into neighbouring Lamontville, splitting them from their long-standing ward. 'The plan, shrouded in minimal publicity and limited transparency, has sparked outrage among residents and ignited a powerful grassroots response. 'If implemented, it would place parts of Mobeni Heights and Havenside - areas with a rich, shared history - into a ward with little contextual or infrastructural alignment,' he said. 'The closing date for objections is June 30. The MDB's publications have not been widely distributed, and the process remains opaque. I informed the ward 69 councillor, Ganas Govender, who advised us that the municipality had not officially notified councillors of the proposal. He was informed of the proposal at a council meeting a few weeks ago,' added Davan. He said they had called a public meeting to inform residents of the proposal, and also obtained legal advice about the proposed move. 'Ultimately, we would not get municipal services like water, electricity, health, policing or fire department services from the Chatsworth area. We would have to access services from Umlazi. 'All billing queries would have to be done at the Lamontville Sizakala Centre and no longer at the Chatsworth office. Most of these venues are not on our bus or taxi routes. If the hospitals decide to follow the ward framework, our residents would have to go to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital and not RK Khan. The Mobeni Heights Cemetery and Crematorium would also be in Ward 74, Lamontville, if approved. 'With regards to policing, we would no longer be serviced by Bayview SAPS, but Lamontville SAPS. Wards determine everything, from social services to housing,' he said. Davan said they were now in the process of mass mobilisation to submit objections. 'Our 'fight back' campaign includes a door-to-door, inbox-to-inbox effort to awaken community voices. Volunteers have been distributing objection forms, hosting information sessions, and circulating legal guidance to every corner of the affected areas. 'Residents are being urged to submit personal objections using the official Form MDB 3, available through the civic association. These objections must be emailed to registry@ with copies to mobeniheights@ 'Mass petitions would not be accepted, a point the association has worked hard to communicate in the face of misinformation spreading through unofficial WhatsApp groups. 'As the deadline looms, the campaign is in overdrive. Volunteers are walking streets, hosting pop-up booths, and educating residents. The hope is that individual voices, each one legally protected and independently considered, will together become too loud to ignore. Rocky Naidoo, chairperson of the Havenside Civic Association, said most residents became aware of the proposal from social media messages. 'Should this proposal go forward, it would cause a disruption in local development and reduce accountability between residents and elected officials. 'It would divide a strong and united community and weaken our voices and the role we have played in local governance. We stand together with the Mobeni Heights Civic Association and would do what it takes to stop the proposed changes from being passed." Ganas Govender, the ward 69 councillor, said he supported the civic and residents' objections. 'I have had a look at the proposed amendment which would drastically change ward based municipal services, voting services and more.' Barileng Dichabe, spokesperson for the Municipal Demarcation Board, said ward boundaries had changed due to an increase in the number of voters, a change in the number of wards from the previous elections and addressing dysfunctional wards. 'The objection period will be open during August 2025, immediately after the publication of the wards in the provincial gazette. 'Public consultations are being held in different regions between June 23 and 26. Ward 69 will only be finalised once all proposals are received. The current draft ward 69 may still have further changes as per proposals received,' she added. THE POST

Mobeni Heights residents unite to oppose proposed ward boundary changes
Mobeni Heights residents unite to oppose proposed ward boundary changes

IOL News

time20-06-2025

  • Politics
  • IOL News

Mobeni Heights residents unite to oppose proposed ward boundary changes

The Mobeni Heights Civic Association is opposing adjustments by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB). Image: eThekwini Municipality The Mobeni Heights Civic Association and the eThekwini Municipality have until June 30, 2025, to object to adjustments proposed by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB). They are just some of the organisations carefully reviewing the MDB proposals, which are rolling out the ward delimitation process in preparation for the 2026 local government elections (LGE). Thabo Manyoni, chairperson of the MDB Board, explained that the board delimits wards every five years preceding the LGE in compliance with the Municipal Structures Act. On Thursday, the Mobeni Heights residents launched a 'stop the split' campaign against ward boundary changes because the proposed demarcation would move Mobeni Heights and part of neighbouring Havenside into Lamontville. Denzil Davan, Mobeni Heights Civic Association chairperson, said the association aims to rally residents to submit individual objections, adding that it has actively opposed the proposal on legal, procedural, and social grounds. Key issues raised: Lack of public awareness: Most residents are unaware of the proposed change. The MDB has not widely disseminated public notices or explanatory material. The proposal violates Section 4(b) of the Municipal Structures Act, which requires the avoidance of unnecessary community fragmentation. Limited political support: Major political parties have remained silent, placing the burden of advocacy entirely on civil society. Legal criteria unmet: Objections highlight potential non-compliance with statutory voter parity limits, insufficient public participation, and unclear motivations for the shift. Davan said the association is educating the public on legal grounds for objection, hosting information sessions and mobilising door-to-door efforts. 'This is not just about redrawing lines. It is about preserving our community, our identity, and our democratic voice.' At a recent eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) meeting, the redetermination of boundaries to move part of Cato Ridge from eThekwini to the Mkhambathini Municipality was discussed. Sipho Cele, the deputy city manager: Governance, explained that the municipality took the matter to court, intending to review the outcome. He stated that the matter is still in court, and officials are busy with the papers. According to Cele, the two municipalities recently met at Cato Ridge for a site visit in order to evaluate the borders and create a plan of action. Part of the land parcel to be transferred is on the plans of the dry port in Cato Ridge. Among the concerns raised. The infrastructure that belongs to the municipality and that is servicing the community of eThekwini, Cato Ridge Library, Cato Ridge Fire Station, Metro Police offices, and Water and Sanitation pump station/valves. Cost of servicing and maintaining the infrastructure, Losing the new Fire station that is servicing the outer west region, including Hillcrest, Gillits, and Hammersdale. Losing these will affect the services being rendered to the community of eThekwini.

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