INLSA
Sithole
The eThekwini Metro has no objection, in principle, to the inclusion of large portions of traditional areas into the city from the south and west of its current borders, city manager Sibusiso Sithole has said in a submission to the Municipal Demarcation Board.
The board, responsible for determining municipal boundaries, has received proposals from traditional leaders and the Department of Co-operative Governance to have large portions of traditional areas to the south and west of Durban incorporated into the eThekwini metro.
The tribal areas that eThekwini stands to inherit include the KwaXimba tribal area in the west and Mgangeni, Enchobeni, KwaNdaya, Toyana and Maphumulo to the south.
There were fears the inclusion of these areas, with very little revenue and rate base, into the eThekwini could put further pressure on city rates.
Minority Front councillor Patrick Pillay has warned that the impact on eThekwini’s ratepayers would be huge if the municipality inherited more tribal areas.
However, Sithole, in submissions to the board, indicated the city had no problems in having them included into eThekwini.
“We will, after consultation with the different political parties within the municipal council and all affected stakeholders, make formal submissions to the Demarcation Board.
“The submission will be made by taking into account a detailed demographic and economic analysis of the proposed changes and their implications for eThekwini municipality,” said Sithole.
However, the city has “vehemently” opposed ceding four northern wards – 58, 60, 61 and 62 – under which prime revenue-paying areas such as the Dube Trade Port and King Shaka International Airport fall – to the KwaDukuza municipality, saying this would kill development in eThekwini.
