EDITOR- According to the Municipal Property Rates Act, 2004, a Special Rating Area (SRA, commonly known as Urban Improvement Precinct (or Plan, Programme, Project) may be established specifically “for the purpose of raising funds for improving or upgrading that area.”
Given this specific condition, it is patently obvious that the SRA’s formed thus far are not in keeping with the MPR Act.
Suppose the eThekwini municipality did deliver as expected. Then, even North Beach would be quite swish. Over and above that, if there was a need to crisscross the streets with fancy lights (as Florida Road has) or install solid barriers to prevent vehicles climbing sidewalks and traffic islands, that would justify the formation of an UIP.
Then the additional charge automatically added to Utility Bills could be widely welcomed for these improvements and upgrades.
UIP’s, per se, are an indictment on the municipality. That the municipality actively encourages their formation proves that it is not prepared to stop shirking its responsibilities to service delivery according to so many Acts, laws, by-laws, etc, preferring rather to “pass the buck” to an outside entity. Its role then is managerial, with law enforcement structures available, nonetheless.
Mahmood
North Beach
