TENSIONS are rising in Mobeni Heights as residents rally against proposed ward boundary changes that would see parts of their community absorbed into neighbouring Lamontville. The redrawing, put forward by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), has sparked a campaign of resistance, with civic groups accusing authorities of pushing through the changes without adequate public consultation.

The Mobeni Heights Civic Association and the eThekwini Municipality have until the end of June to object to adjustments proposed by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB). They are just some of the organisations carefully reviewing the MDB proposals, which are rolling out the ward delimitation process in preparation for the 2026 local government elections (LGE).

Thabo Manyoni, chairperson of the MDB Board, explained that the board delimits wards every five years preceding the LGE in compliance with the Municipal Structures Act.

Apart from the Mobeni Heights residents who launched a “stop the split” campaign against ward boundary changes, part of neighbouring Havenside will also be absorbed into Lamontville if the changes are passed. 

Denzil Davan, the Mobeni Heights Civic Association chairperson, said the association aims to rally residents to submit individual objections, adding that it has actively opposed the proposal on legal, procedural, and social grounds.

Some of the key issues raised include the lack of public awareness as most residents don’t know about the possible changes. Davan said that the proposal also violates sections of the Municipal Structures Act which states that communities must not be fragmented unecessarily. He said it also had limited political support as most of the major political parties were silent on the issue, placing the burden of advocacy entirely on civil society.

Davan said the association is educating the public on their legal grounds for objection, hosting information sessions and mobilising door-to-door efforts.

“This is not just about redrawing lines. It is about preserving our community, our identity, and our democratic voice,” he said. 

At a recent eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) meeting, the redetermination of boundaries to move part of Cato Ridge from the eThekwini to the Mkhambathini Municipality was discussed.

Sipho Cele, the deputy city manager for governance, explained that the municipality had taken the matter to court with the intention to review the outcome.

According to Cele, the two municipalities recently met at Cato Ridge for a site visit  to evaluate the borders and create a plan of action. Part of the land parcel to be transferred is on the plans of the dry port in Cato Ridge.

Among the concerns raised.

• The infrastructure that belongs to the municipality and that is servicing the community of eThekwini, Cato Ridge Library, Cato Ridge Fire Station, Metro Police offices, and Water and Sanitation pump station/valves.
• Cost of servicing and maintaining the infrastructure,
• Losing the new fire station that is servicing the outer west region, including Hillcrest, Gillits, and Hammersdale.
• Losing these will affect the services being rendered to the community of eThekwini. 

Cele said the application for the decision of the MDB to be reviewed was justified because the impact of the decision would have a negative impact on the economy of the area (for both municipalities).

He said both municipalities must call for the retention of the status quo.

Manyoni encouraged all members of the public to actively participate and air their views on the draft wards during the upcoming public consultation campaign.

He said during July 2025, the MDB will publish the wards and invite members of the public to submit objections before the wards are finalised by October and handed over to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in January 2026.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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