Latest news with #eThekwiniMunicipality
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Suspect nabbed for eThekwini diesel theft
AN investigation is underway after eThekwini Municipality employees allegedly colluded with a private citizen to steal diesel, at the expense of the city and ratepayers. According to the director of the City Integrity and Investigations Directorate, Jimmy Ngcobo, the accused was posing as a municipal employee to allow him free reign over the pumps, which would eventually earn him around R78 000 a day. He allegedly did rounds everyday filling diesel at over 15 petrol stations around the city. 'The culprit had four vehicles fitted with a 750-litre fuel tank at the base of each single cab van. The diesel was stored in these tanks and resold. Each vehicle generated about R78 000 a day,' said Ngcobo. He said the accused was caught red-handed, dressed in municipal uniform, while fraudulently filling diesel at one of the petrol stations where the city's fleet refuel. The sting operation was conducted with assistance from the Metro Police and private company Reaction Unit South Africa. Also Read: eThekwini employees arrested for theft and corruption This was after the eThekwini Integrity and Investigations Directorate Unit received a tip-off from the City Fleet Directorate stating that there are municipal vehicles filling diesel more than 10 times a day. Ngcobo said a forensic investigation was launched and it found that a fuel master, belonging to the Water and Sanitation Directorate, was being used by privately owned cars. 'The fuel master being used was for a vehicle that has been stationary for a long time and is going to be disposed of. The suspect had duplicated the number plate and branding on the side of the car doors to make it look similar to other municipal cars.' He said that in this instance, municipal employees were working with external people to conduct fraud and corruption. 'The municipality has suffered a great financial loss, which is why we are calling on various stakeholders to report fraud and corruption when they see it happening,' said Ngcobo as he called for organised crime to be dealt with severely. The man was arrested and charged for fraud and corruption. He appeared in court and the matter was remanded until August. The public can report fraud and corruption by calling 0800 20 20 20 or send an email to ombuds@ For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Durban FilmMart 2025: A Focus on South African Cinema
Durban FilmMart Institute Director Magdalene Reddy said that South African cinema stands at a pivotal moment where our local industry expertise must be strengthened and celebrated. The Durban FilmMart, which runs from 18-21 July in Durban, will have a strong focus on the South African film industry. The Durban FilmMart said that it remains a gateway to the African and global film industry for local film professionals. 'The 2025 industry programme dedicates significant focus to South African cinema through its comprehensive 'SA in Focus' stream, bringing together the nation's most influential industry bodies, guilds, and creative professionals to address the current state and future of the local audio-visual sector.' Durban FilmMart Institute Director Magdalene Reddy said that South African cinema stands at a pivotal moment where our local industry expertise must be strengthened and celebrated. 'The 'SA in Focus' stream recognises that sustainable growth in African filmmaking begins with a robust foundation in our home market. By bringing together our guilds and industry leaders, DFM fosters the collaborative partnerships essential for our sector's advancement.' Reddy added that through this programming stream, DFM 2025 demonstrates an unwavering commitment to strengthening South African cinema from within, recognising that a thriving local industry forms the foundation for successful international collaboration and growth. eThekwini Municipality, in a statement, said that programme highlights include the flagship State of the South African Audio-Visual Industry session, featuring key stakeholders such as the National Film and Video Foundation, SABC, and various provincial commissions. 'The programme will also explore topics such as artificial intelligence's creative influence, copyright in the digital age, and strategies for international co-productions. Panel discussions hosted by major guilds, including the South African Guild of Actors, the Writers' Guild of South Africa and the Editors Guild, will address critical issues such as storytelling, sustainability, and creative ownership.' eThekwini Municipality added that standout sessions include The African Aesthetic, Directors as Cultural Architects, and Independent Producers Organisation to Intellectual Property, on global market access. 'This year's DFM focus on collaboration and professional development underscores its continued role in shaping a thriving and future-ready South African film industry.' BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
a day ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Durban South residents should prepare for a planned water outage
ETHEKWINI Municipality has issued a public notice for a planned water outage for areas supplied by the uMngeni-uThukela Wiggins Water Treatment Works Gravity System from the morning of July 8 until 9. Also read: Water crisis looms at Wiggins Treatment Works The shutdown is necessary to replace 1200mm diameter sales and check meters on the principal bulk pipeline and also repair a leak on the aqueducts that has affected water flow recovery since April. The project will include a complete shut-down of the Wiggins Treatment Works and that will mean no water being delivered to the reservoirs during this time. Affected areas: The Bluff. Austerville. Wentworth. Bayhead. Jacobs. Clairwood. Merebank (East). Merewent. Montclair. Woodlands. The municipality apologises for the inconvenience and assures residents that teams will be monitoring closely to ensure that water supply is replenished as soon as possible once the work is done. For more information regarding water supply, the community can download eThekwini Municipality's mobile app to log faults or send a WhatsApp to 073 1483 477. Alternatively, call the toll-free number on 080 311 1111 or email Eservices@ For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
eThekwini Municipality and traditional leaders unite for land use management
The eThekwini Traditional Rural Spatial Framework and Land Use Management Plan, including the Draft Co-Operation Agreement of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the eThekwini Municipality leadership and eThekwini Local House of Traditional Leadership, was approved at a council meeting on Thursday. Image: Willem Phungula The eThekwini Municipality has made progress with the persistent planning and land management challenges that it has within the areas under traditional leadership, particularly those that fall outside of the urban development line. After months of consultations, the eThekwini Traditional Rural Spatial Framework and Land Use Management Plan, including the Draft Co-Operation Agreement of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the eThekwini Municipality leadership and eThekwini Local House of Traditional Leadership, was approved at a council meeting on Thursday. According to the municipality, there is slow and sometimes disorderly development, which slows down spatial and economic transformation and contributes to spatial and economic inequalities. In terms of location, the rural component of the municipality is 1,500 km, located in the north-west and south-west, and includes several peri-urban areas. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ It comprises approximately 68% of the municipality's spatial footprint and largely falls beyond the urban development line. The municipality stated that it was not appropriately configured to serve each of the 18 traditional council areas independently and efficiently. 'In this case, it's not just the local leadership discord, as constantly evidenced between ward councillors, their ward committees, and the traditional councils, but also the service authorities across the spheres of government, who disregard the important coordination function assigned to the local government. This adds to multiple layers of authority that confuse the end user,' a report read. One of the objectives for the municipality was to strengthen relations and cooperation between it and the traditional rural leadership on issues about spatial planning and development. The framework proposed a spatial and planning approach structured to foster the independent administrative status of each traditional council. The MOU proposes various institutional arrangements that will improve coordination and accountability of stakeholders. The municipality stated that the interventions include homestead numbering, road naming, signage, traditional council directions, heritage promotion, and entry or exit point street cameras. According to the municipality, the current situation is that 90% of homesteads in the study area are unidentifiable, with no street addresses. IFP councillor Petros Mbonambi said this was the first time in 30 years that traditional leadership has been recognised. Mbonambi welcomed the initiative and consultative process with amaKhosi, saying that this will help the community. He wanted to see improvement in health and education facilities, as well as industrial development in these areas. 'If they want to rename the roads, they must not use politicians' names. Rather, use the names of the late amaKhosi. The IFP will keep an eye on this initiative to make certain that it is not used as a tool to repossess land belonging to the amaKhosi. We await the consultative process,' he said.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Hammarsdale wastewater treatment works delays cost Durban ratepayers R60 million
The Hammarsdale Wastewater Treatment Works' completion date has been delayed over the years, and it is now expected to be completed in November 2026. This has resulted in an additional R60 million cost to the municipality. Image: eThekwini Municipality Ongoing delays by a contractor to improve the infrastructure at Hammarsdale Wastewater Treatment Works have cost eThekwini ratepayers R60 million. The contract for improvements to liquid and solids treatment facilities could be amended again pending approval by a full council committee on Thursday. The completion date was delayed over the years, and the completion is expected in November 2026. The original contract was R200 million, and the revised contract was estimated at R260 million. At an eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Tuesday, a report from the Trading Services committee noted reasons to amend the contract for the completion of engineering design work and construction supervision for the functional upgrade of the treatment works. In its motivation for the amendment to be approved, the committee stated that the treatment works, located in an industrial zone, are critical to improving plant capacity and supporting further industrial and commercial development. It also said this project has experienced ongoing process compliance issues due to ageing infrastructure, thus requiring critical improvements. The project was originally scheduled to be finalised in February 2020, but various delays were experienced, resulting in extensions being granted: February 25, 2020, revised to January 9, 2023, due to Covid-19-related days. January 9, 2023, to June 21, 2025, due to delays in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) process and an insufficient budget allocation for this project. June 21, 2025, to May 6, 2026. Completion date revised due to unforeseen technical challenges encountered during construction. June 21, 2025, to November 6, 2026. The committee noted that delays necessitated major amendments to the contract for its completion of construction and commissioning. It placed a public notice advertising the amendment in a local newspaper, stating that no views or comments were received in response. Asad Gaffar, the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM), said these contracts are costing the ratepayers dearly and that this was a clear indication that the municipality did not have the right calibre of personnel in its departments. He said the ERPM will continue to fight for oversight and accountability of infrastructure projects so that ratepayers get value for money.
