Decreasing property value, lawlessness, and 550 signatures on a petition calling for increased police visibility were discussed at a ratepayers meeting with eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba. 

Terri Maclarty, chairperson of the Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA), believed that the recent meeting with Xaba at Durban City Hall was successful and informative.

 Maclarty stated that Xaba had engaged with her team positively and that he proposed a workshop with stakeholders to find a solution to the lawlessness being experienced in the lower Umhlanga area. 

“We sincerely hope that this will assist the community as we are experiencing a severe reduction in our home values as a result of revving cars, loud and disturbing clubs, and general disrespect for the rules of the road by taxis and supercars,” she stated. 

In addition, the URRA handed in a petition carrying 550 signatures collected in three days, appealing for an increase in resources and service delivery from the Durban metro police.

The URRA addressed many service delivery issues, including the raw sewerage in La Lucia from the Armstrong Road pump station.

Maclarty was informed at the meeting that work is being done and 900 metres of pipe will be replaced, as the temporary fix done a few times has not been successful. 

“The sanitation operations department has promised that this will be complete in four weeks. The mayor regrets the wasted expenditure on temporary fixes and multiple water leak repairs, which have been addressed by bringing repairs in-house, so the incentive to rework at extra cost is removed,” Maclarty said. 

The URRA also addressed the ongoing closure of the beaches because it negatively impacts the economy and tourism industry of Umhlanga, which she said was once the Jewel of Durban. 

“The shocking state of the promenade ablutions also came up. We also had a meaningful discussion on the multiple billing issues and errors. We will submit a report on these issues, and the finance department will work to address them. There was an appeal for residents to assist by furnishing readings monthly to avoid unnecessary over-billing. 

“The ongoing development with the current infrastructure, which is failing already, was also brought to the mayor’s attention again. Discussions were also held again regarding the taxi situation, as they are parked illegally and washing vehicles on the M4 – making the visitor’s first view of Umhlanga shocking. eThekwini is in the planning phase of developing a holding rank,” she explained. 

Maclarty said other general service delivery was discussed, and the mayor committed to continually improving so that ratepayers get what they pay for.

“The mayor has committed to working with us to resolve the many issues we brought to him, and we look forward to continued discussion,” she said. 

Xaba said the two-hour engagement covered a wide range of issues, including the metro police’s capacity to service the fast-growing precinct, ongoing water leaks, sewerage network challenges, stormwater drainage improvements, and homelessness.

The municipality stated that Xaba was accompanied by city officials from various service delivery units, who outlined a clear plan to address the challenges raised.

The meeting forms part of the municipality’s ongoing commitment to work closely with communities to find sustainable solutions to service delivery challenges.

In August 2024, Xaba also met with URRA to resolve service delivery issues in the area, which included beach water quality, enforcement of by-laws, and the billing system.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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