Opinion divided on potential Tongaat ward changes

Tongaat residents are divided over whether to stay within eThekwini Metro’s jurisdiction or become part of the iLembe District municipalities, KwaDukuza and Ndwedwe.

Debate raged at a public meeting at the Tongaat Town Hall on Sunday, where eThekwini Metro’s failure to deliver services was highlighted and Ballito was held up as an example of a well-run town.

Proposed changes to wards 58, 61 and 62 are serving before the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB). The proposal is, however, not a new one, with a previous attempt in 2012 heavily opposed.

The wards’ own councillors remained convinced it was preferable to remain within eThekwini.

Ward 58 councillor Geoff Pullan urged residents to object, citing massive differences in budgets between the Metro and the smaller municipalities.

“Splitting the town into two municipalities would not work,” he said.

Pullan said he believed the proposal was part of a larger move to see KwaDukuza apply for city status, which would mean increased salaries for officials and greater government funding.

“The Metro spent a fortune developing the north, with more funding earmarked. KwaDukuza and Ndwedwe do not have the capacity or funding.”

Pullan said much had been done by the Metro to boost Tongaat. He cited the recent R35-million upgrade of the R102.

The proposed changes also places Hazelmere Dam and the King Shaka International Airport within Ndwedwe and KwaDukuza’s boundaries, which could spell a massive loss in rates for the Metro.

Former Metro speaker turned Tongaat Civic Association secretary, Logie Naidoo, said no real motivation had been provided for the proposed changes.

He said eThekwini was previously one of the best run metros in the country, and could be again if residents worked together.

Naidoo urged residents not to be guided by emotion when submitting feedback to the MDB, as the Metro did have the capacity to meet residents’ needs.

Others were not so tolerant.

“There’s sewage running down our main road, and we have poor service delivery. An airport and trade zone are nice, but there’s little hope for improvement. Ballito functions and KwaDukuza rates are lower. This is a bread and butter decision and perhaps it is time to get an objective view on the matter,” one resident said.

Other residents expressed fears that the proposed move was politically motivated and that Tongaat would benefit little as a result.

To submit comments to the MDB on the proposed changes, email registry@demarcation.org.za before the end of April.

The MDB, in preparation for elections, often makes changes to boundaries to ensure an equal number of registered voters in each ward, which may not vary by more than 15%.

In the past, this has seen the addition of new wards locally, as was the case with the addition of ward 30 to KwaDukuza in 2021.

Metro spokesperson Princess Nkabane said it would be premature to comment on a matter still in its infancy.

“The city will allow for the process to run its course before any decisions are made,” said Nkabane on being questioned as to the Metro’s service delivery capability, its potential loss in rates, and whether it would be objecting to the proposal.

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