On 18 February, the City’s Executive Committee (EXCO) held a meeting where key decisions were made. The approved reports from the meeting will be presented to the Full Council for final approval.
To manage rising water demand and promote conservation, eThekwini Municipality has started installing water restrictors on consumer meters. The initiative began in the southern region, where water demand is growing faster than the available supply.
The increased demand is straining the system, especially after uMngeni-uThukela Water reduced bulk water supply in October last year. To address this, the city plans to install water restrictors in about 550,000 connected households. These restrictors will limit water flow, helping to reduce overall demand.
Meanwhile, the city is also working to address and mitigate physical water losses within the system. The Executive Committee has supported these water demand management interventions and urged the municipality to urgently strengthen its plans to tackle the issue of non-revenue water.
The Committee was notified that National Treasury has allocated R189 million in funding for non-revenue water projects in the Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu areas. This funding will be available in the 2025/26 financial year.
The Executive Committee has approved a plan to transform the existing Metro Police Academy into a state-of-the-art facility. This upgrade aims to meet legislative and Road Traffic Management Corporation Training (RTMC) requirements, while improving service delivery, crime prevention, by-law enforcement, and traffic management through comprehensive training programs.
The upgraded academy will feature essential facilities such as a shooting range, parade grounds, and smart policing technology to address modern policing needs. Additionally, it will offer specialised training in various disciplines, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Durban Metro Police.
The support infrastructure will include administrative offices for management, trainee accommodations to promote discipline, and dining and recreational facilities. Maintenance and security will be managed on-site, covering cleaning, cooking, and security services.
The next recruitment intake will follow a three-year training curriculum mandated by the RTMC, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements. This curriculum aims to provide recruits with comprehensive and specialized training, better preparing them for modern policing challenges such as traffic enforcement, crime prevention, by-law enforcement, and smart policing.
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The funding for the new academy will be secured through a service provider chosen via a Request for Proposal process to finance its conversion.
The Executive Committee has approved entering into mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities that need fire and emergency service assistance from eThekwini Municipality. These agreements will manage requests for fire emergency assistance to ensure financial viability and sustainable expenditure for the eThekwini Fire and Emergency Services Unit when providing aid outside its jurisdiction. This measure aims to protect the interests of eThekwini Municipality and its employees.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre’s Technical Task Team for Fire Services conducted a fire and rescue capacity assessment in 2014 and 2015, revealing that most municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal lack the capacity to handle fire and emergency incidents effectively. The efficiency of fire and rescue services largely depends on having sufficient resources and proper coordination.
Municipalities with adequate fire and rescue capacity can manage fire and emergency incidents within their jurisdiction. However, if a fire occurs in a neighboring municipality with limited or no fire capacity, the situation can become uncontrollable, potentially leading to severe fire problems and loss of life.
The Committee was informed that neighboring municipalities have requested assistance from eThekwini Fire and Emergency Services for incidents beyond their capacity. While eThekwini has often provided this assistance, the lack of formal agreements has meant that fees for these services have not been charged.
The mutual aid agreements aim to ensure sound financial management, protect the interests of eThekwini Municipality and its employees, and help communities access essential services. Although the Committee supports cross-border assistance, they cautioned against overstretching resources and compromising service delivery to eThekwini residents.
To address these concerns, management explained that fire stations are strategically located to identify inter-connections and reduce operational gaps, even if there is a backlog.
The Executive Committee has recommended a 5% tariff increase for using Committee Rooms at various Sizakala Customer Service Centre buildings, effective from 1 July 2025, in accordance with Section 75A of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act of 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000).
Additionally, the committee approved a tariff increase for rental space and services at the Bulk Market for the 2025/2026 financial year. Notices about the tariff increase will be displayed before implementation.
In line with eThekwini Municipality’s Street Naming and Addressing Policy, the developer of Salta Estate, in consultation with the Ward 58 Councillor, has proposed naming the previously unnamed street in Ward 58 “Crane Avenue.” This name complements the existing theme within Salta Estate, promoting unity and cohesiveness within the community, and reflects the developer’s vision for the estate.
With all street naming requirements met and benefits for both eThekwini Municipality and the developer, the Executive Committee has recommended that the Council approve the naming of the main street in Salta Estate as “Crane Avenue.”
The Executive Committee has recommended that the Council approve the start of the public participation process for the reviewed Spatial Development Framework (SDF) 2025-26. This process will allow stakeholders to provide input and comments, helping the Municipality develop a strategic framework for inclusive land development decisions.
Presentations on the reviewed SDF will be made to the Municipal Support Committees, Ward Committees, and Traditional Leaders to ensure they understand the implications before the final draft SDF is submitted for Council approval along with the budget in May 2025.
After Council approval, it will be submitted to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, as required by law.
