MBOMBELA – Convenience has found a new meaning at Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM), a place where one can pay electricity bills, renew driver’s licences, pay water bills and buy electricity – all under one roof.

On Monday morning, executive mayor, Cllr Sibusiso Mathonsi and staff, joined by various media houses, enjoyed an official tour during the opening of the centre.

According to Mr Joseph Ngala, MLM’s spokesman, the motive for the one-stop customer centre at Riverside Park is to make it easier for the public.

“Imagine having to run around trying to get bills paid and still having to juggle your busy schedule. That is hectic and now we have made it easier for the public,” Ngala said.

He added that the municipality saw a need in the community and realised that the public could not spend half a day to pay all their bills at different locations.

He speculated that the reason people do not pay could be because it was not convenient.

“Now they have no more excuses not to pay their bills,” Ngala chuckled.

The centre will be opened from 08:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and also on Saturdays until 13:00.

However, Mathonsi expressed dissatisfaction with the operating hours during a media briefing after the official opening.

“This centre is for the public’s convenience and I will suggest that we close at 18:00 so that people who have to work until 17:00, can still come and make their payments,” Mathonsi suggested.

The one-stop centre is based at The Grove shopping centre, right behind First National Bank.