Umzumbe ward to be moved to RNM
In 2024, a proposal was made to RNM council that Ward 5 be moved, but it was rejected at the time.
Municipal spokesperson Simon April has confirmed that Ward 5 in Umzumbe Local Municipality will now fall under Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM).
“It’s not automatic that the grant funding for RNM will increase because the KwaQwabe area is incorporated into RNM after 2026. There could be reasons why funding might be adjusted upward. It will basically depend on the formula that will be used which will take into account factors such as population, poverty levels, backlogs, etc.”
At the beginning of 2024 a proposal was made to RNM council that Ward 5 be moved, but it was rejected. At the time, council said that it had not been consulted nor involved in meetings held by the Municipal Demarcation Board, Umzumbe Municipality, or the people of that area.
Council further discussed that if KwaQwabe is under RNM, the number of wards will increase and the cost thereof, and that it would have to provide service delivery and that it would require more money.
Also, KwaQwabe is a rural area near Oshabeni which does not pay rates and therefore will not be contributing any revenue to the municipality.
According to April, the indication is that there will be no changes in terms of the number of wards, as this is determined by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, however, the incorporation of KwaQwabe will be addressed through the Ward Delimitation Process.
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