Information updates from Ndlambe Local Municipality

COMMUNITY/PROTECTION SERVICES NEW YEAR’S DAY PORT ALFRED:

January 1 2023 (from 4am to 11pm).

The one-way traffic will be as follows:

One-way traffic from the intersection of Muller Street/West Beach Road in an easterly direction to West Beach car park along Beach Road, past braai areas to the intersection of Wesley Hill/ Beach Road.

One-way traffic from intersection of Oriole Road/Beach Road in a westerly direction (away from river) to the intersection of Oriole/ Muller Street.

One-way traffic from intersection of Beach Road/Hirtzel Road in a westerly direction along Grand Street to the intersection of Grand/Wesley Hill Drive/Muller Street. One-way traffic from intersection of Wesley Hill/Smith Street in a north easterly direction to the intersection of Beach Road/Smith Street.

NOTE: Muller Drive and Wesley Hill Drive will remain a two-way road.

REMOVAL OF SAND IN KLEINEMONDE

Environmental authorisation was obtained from the department of economic development, environmental affairs & tourism (Dedeat) to go ahead with the clearing of wind blown sand off the Kleinemonde Island parking area. The sand removal started two weeks ago and is monitored by the environmental control officer, environmental law officer and conservationist of Ndlambe.

The process involves using earth-moving machines, manual labour and placing of wind nets. This was procured by Ndlambe Municipality.

In a spirit of ubuntu, to speed up the sand removal, the Kleinemonde Ratepayers Association donated R57,500 for the use of a bulldozer to assist. The gesture is much appreciated by Ndlambe. Once this project has been succesfuly completed, similar applications will be submitted to Dedeat for the remaining problem beachfront areas in Ndlambe.

DOGS IN PUBLIC PLACES

Lately, the municipality has become aware of serious complaints involving dogs which attack people.

The Public Nuisance and Keeping of Animals bylaw states the owner or keeper of a dog may not bring or allow it in a street or public place (including parks and beaches) unless it is on a leash and under the physical control of a responsible person.

Therefore, no dogs are allowed to run freely in any street or public place (parks and beaches). The onus is on owners to abide by these bylaws.

Dog owners will be held liable for any injuries and/or loss of life that may occur. This is a criminal offense and will not be tolerated. Failure to do so will lead to prosecution.

The safety of people (including animals) in such areas is of utmost importance to Ndlambe Municipality.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Electricity availability charge

The municipality takes cognisance of the multielectricity availability charge concern raised by the ratepayers.

The municipality wishes to inform ratepayers that this matter is receiving our attention and we will communicate the outcome in a Notice, which will be included in the monthly municipal accounts.

Prepaid electricity

Kindly note that after November 2024, all pre-payment electricity meters based on STS technology will stop accepting new credit tokens and will further stop dispensing electricity after existing credit is used up.

This does pose the risk to consumers of not having access to electricity.

The STS Association recommends a meter’s memory needs to be cleared of all stored TIDs (Token identifiers) and its cryptographic key needs to be changed before November 2024.

All residents staying in Alexandria – town, Alexandria – Wentzel Park, Port Alfred town and Thornhill areas who use of a prepaid electricity meter need to consult with the Port Alfred finance department officials.

We will then assist each consumer through the process.

To do this, contact:

Ayanda Ndube –

andube@ndlambe.gov.za or 046-604- 5546, or Andiswa Njibana –

anjibana@ndlambe.gov.za or 046-604- 5542, or Pamela Xamleko –

pxamleko@ndlambe.gov.za.za of 046-604-5540.

Notice in monthly municipal accounts.

Ndlambe would like to bring ratepayers’ attention to its municipal accounts, which have a dedicated space used to communicate any new matters to ratepayers.

Addition hours – Finance Office

The Kenton-on-Sea finance office will be open on Saturdays, from December 3 until January 7, from 8am to 1pm for the purchase of boating licences. This also applies to December 16.

CORPORATE SERVICES Council

The last council meeting will be held on Friday, December 9, at which time the council will go into recess.

Municipal office hours

Municipal office hours are from 7.30am to 1pm, and 1.45pm to 4.30pm daily, except on and the day before a public holiday.

Libraries

All libraries within the Ndlambe area will remain open during the festive season. Hours of service are 8am to 5pm daily, except for Sundays and public holidays.

The libraries will also close on the following Saturdays: December 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Appointment of staff

The municipality has recruited and appointed 34 general workers.

The new intakes were inducted on October 24 this year.

This involves knowledge of municipal policies including the Code of Conduct for Municipal Employees.

The employees commenced their duties on November 1 this year.

School Intervention Programme

Ndlambe Municipality consistently assists where possible to ensure a good pass rate among Grade 12 pupils within our area of jurisdiction.

During the past two months, Ndlambe Municipality has supported local schools in their “last push” programmes – their final preparedness for the examinations.

Though this is not one of the municipality’s key performance areas, in certain circumstances we assist in areas which will benefit Grade 12 pupils.

Theseschools have been assisted :

Kuyasa Combined School:

September 20

Ukhanyo Secondary School –

September 20

Nomzamo Senior Sec School –

October 28

Nompucuko Combined School –

October 28

Velile High School – November 4

Ikamvalesizwe Combined School

– November 2

We wish all pupils the best of luck for their final examinations.