BUILDING INSPECTORATE
9. Occupancy Certificates
An Occupancy Certificate is issued when a new building is complete and ready to be occupied and the same applies for additions alterations for all types of buildings according to Section 14 of the National Building and Regulations and Standards Act.
From June 2011 to date 15 certificates have been issued.
Comments to Note:
A steady decline in the number of building plans have been observed over the past months and an increase in inquiries regarding building requirements is been noted, due to fact that of the increase of notices issued by the Junior Building Inspector.
Some concern is raised about the unauthorized building activities been carried out, it is recommended that routine inspections other than those performed by myself and the Junior Inspector be conducted by the Technical Department regularly, in order for Notices to be issued.
This department is successfully introduced and consists of the following:
- Building Inspector - Jnr Building Inspector
The Building Inspections are done according to National Building Regulations.
The department is semi‐privatized by Sheena Consulting. The service is rendered on a very high level.
Building management and inspections is performed according to the SABS 00400 National Building Regulations.
WATER SERVICE AUTHORITY:
Zululand District Municipality took over the function since 1 July 2006 and all related information was obtained from uPhongolo Municipality as required.
Raw water is purchased from Impala Water Users Association, which is extracted from Pongola River and a raw water canal system.
Technical Administration and related functions
This sub department functions very well. All incoming mail is replied to on a regular basis and the community is served on a professional basis.
The Service Authority Committee is established which serves as a liaising authority between the Community, Pongola Municipality and Zululand District Municipality.
ROADS AND STORMWATER:
The Technical Department performs and undertakes the following maintenance and upgrading as per Maintenance Plan and Budget Provision:
The maintenance of gravel roads – 228 km
The construction of gravel roads (informal roads) – 114 km The construction of sidewalks – 24 km
Maintenance and construction of stormwater – 111 km of open V‐
Maintenance of parking areas – 10 Areas
Repair and Maintenance of tar roads – 58 km (3x for the year 2011/2012)
MAINTAIN AND ERECT FENCES:
‐ Airstrip: 100 m
‐ Ncotshane Cemetery: 1.4 km - Belgrade Cemetery: 100 m - Pongola Cemetery: 75 m - Town Boundary Ext 219: 800 m
ROAD MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
The roads situated in the Greater uPhongolo are subdivided as follows:
BELGRADE:
MIG Funding was applied to upgrade the outstanding gravel roads and allocation is awaited.
Various gravel roads in Belgrade were maintained and graded to an acceptable standard. 28 KM roads in Ncotshane needs to be regravelled which have a major negative impact on service delivery and early in the financial year 2012/2013 this maintenance will be instituted.
Street names to be allocated via the Ward Councillors. Names approval to be obtained from Council.
NCOTSHANE: WARD 2&10 (URBAN AREA)
124 kms of gravel roads exist, 18 km of tar roads and 2.1 kms of paved roads.
Various gravel roads in Ncotshane were maintained and graded to an acceptable standard.
PONGOLA: WARD 11 & (URBAN AREA)
i. Roads
48 km of roads exist, 33 km of tar roads and 1.1 kms of paved roads, and the remaining is gravel roads which also need re‐
graveling and storm water.
ii. Sidewalks
Sidewalks are repaired based on a Job Creation process with interlocking paving blocks. The block yard function needs to be considered for implementation in 2012/2013 financial year.
iii. Curb stones
Curb stones replaced on a regular basis.
iv. Stormwater
Catch Pits and concrete manhole covers are repaired on a regular basis from time to time storm water damage the underground storm water pipes which results in flooding of houses and this will be repaired and replaced very urgently.
BELGRADE COMMUNITY: WARD 5 (URBAN AREA)
Service for Belgrade community is rendered from Pongola, and the following can be emphasized
- Roads – Grading of roads: 90km
- Internal Water network to the cemetery and sporting facilities - Prepaid electrical network maintained by Eskom
- Community clusters: Building Repairs departmentally - Street Lighting maintenance by Eskom
Grader Pongola wards
Wards1,3,4,6,7,8,9,12,13,14In total informal roads of 150 km was re‐graded and open storm water constructed, the outstanding issue is re‐gravelling ward 3,6,9,storm water issues ward 1&4 assistance towards the maintenance of the sport fields and access to rural cemeteries also part of service delivery.
PONGOLA CARAVAN PARK:
This facility consists of the following:
- 100 caravan sites (64 Electrified)
- 9 private chalets and one undeveloped stand - A control building , kiosk and security room - Swimming pool
- Mini golf
- Ablution block with washing facilities - secure fencing
This facility has been successfully privatized since 2000.
CEMETERY:
The Technical department manages cemeteries that are situated in the following areas:
- Belgrade - Magudu - Ncotshane - Pongola
A master management plan was approved and adopted during 2003, a plan to be reviewed in 2012/2013. Application for funding to be confirmed.
The management is executed accordingly to the master plan.
Burials are performed according to prescribed legislation and admin procedures are followed accordingly.
Application for funding was also forwarded to MIG for the new establishment of Cemeteries as report compiled by the PMU Manager.
A proper report was completed, which includes identified needed land, funding and timeframes, rural burials is managed by the community and only technical support is received
MUNICIPAL LAND:
uPhongolo Municipality owns farmland, which is registered as portion 383 and 435 and is presently leased to a farmer.
OPEN LAND MAINTENANCE:
Open spaces are being maintained on a regular basis to support crime prevention.
MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS AND OFFICES
The Municipal Buildings and Offices are maintained regularly in Belgrade, Ncotshane and Pongola,a satellite office serves the main admin office which is situated in Pongola and technical financial where all activities are co‐
ordinate and maintained
A Development Plan was approved for the office extension and an external loan from ABSA was registered according to the prescribed legislation.
The Community Hall situated in Magudu previously owned by the Farmers Association was donated to the uPhongolo Municipality and it is utilised by the Community.
The Existing Community Halls of Belgrade and Ncotshane are well maintained on a regular basis.
All properties that belong to the Municipality are maintained according to the budget provision and availability of funds.
PARKS AND GARDENS MAINTENANCE:
Open spaces are properly maintained which is both beneficial to the community and assists towards crime prevention. The maintenance is partially privatized which is solely based on Job Creation and poverty alleviation.
The sub department is semi‐privatized and the function is performed on a high standard, the areas involved are as follows:
Belgrade – 1 contractor
Ncotshane – 6 contractors Pongola Town – 1 contractor
The contractual commitment is funded from the General Rates Services.
Provisions to maintain the Magudu and Golela areas will be introduced during 2012/2013
WORKSHOP AND FLEET MANAGEMENT:
Minor repairs are being done internally and major repairs by appointed Service Providers.
The assistance in the Workshop under the supervision of the Roads Foreman is performed on a high level.
It can be mentioned that the application of disposal of assets is in accordance with the applicable legislation.
It can be proudly announced that the following new yellow machinery was purchased and delivered during April 2012:
- New Holland Grader - Doosan Excavator - CASE 580 PLT
- A new TW90 Tractor Slasher Unit - A mechanical Slasher
A proper inventory list and asset register for all fleet and equipment exists.
ELECTRICAL NETWORK AND MANAGEMENT:
uPhongolo Municipality purchases bulk electricity from Eskom and distributes electricity to the community of uPhongolo. The licence received from NER was approved in 1998 and it is presently still approved. The department is semi‐
privatized and functions very well and can proudly announce that only 3.04%
distribution loss exists, this is a result of line losses.
Fire gel and equipment was distributed to the communities who have no access to electricity.
Eskom provides an electrical prepaid system for the Greater uPhongolo Municipality.
Currently the uPhongolo Municipality is engaged with a replacement of existing meters with prepaid meters, tender is rewarded and construction will commence very soon.
The department is semi‐privatized based as follows:
o Responsible person according to the Act, Best 2 Electrical CC –
o Appointed contractor, Best 2 Electrical CC o Capital projects
Funding allocations from DME is based for the rural areas, see attached annexure from Eskom.
An application of R38 353 528.00 was made however 17million was approved and allocated for rural projects .
o Electrification Projects in the rural areas is in the construction phase funded by DOE, connections to the amount of 1250 under the supervision of the Consultant Engineers of Ulungeni Consulting CC.
o Network Maintenance
Network maintenance is performed on an ongoing process.
o Street lighting management
Streets lighting is performed on an ongoing
to extend street lighting for Ncotshane residents.
o Power Interruptions
The following Power interruptions occurred up to June 2012.
Storm damage on overhead lines – R 20 000.00
2 transformer damage R100 000.00.
o Mass Lighting
A Development Plan for Mass Lighting is established to the benefit of the Community and 1 is already completed.
o Public participation
Informed consumers on a general basis when planned interruptions via Eskom would take place.
o Bulk Purchases
Eskom provides up to a central point 7.5 Mva which is then distributed to Pongola only. Eskom is responsible for all the rural areas, which is incorporated.
o Meter reading – departmentally on a monthly basis
To reduce the outstanding debt, a process for electrical prepaid meters is being investigated.
o Electrical Tariffs
The electrical tariffs is approved according to the legislation of NERSA
Job creation:
The vision of the uPhongolo Municipality is uplifting the standards of the community; therefore, job creation projection was successfully introduced and is related to the following.
- Pothole repairs for tar roads - Road sweeping is ongoing
- Cleaning of V‐drains is ongoing
- Repair and replace paving blocks is ongoing
Additional 22 staff members were appointed to perform certain activities based on job creation and community upliftment. Job Creation is based as follows:
‐ Stormwater and Pothole repairs
‐ Maintenance of Cemeteries
‐ Infrastructure Maintenance
‐ General
Technical Programs:
For the financial year 2011/2012, the Municipality successfully completed the following capital projects:
Technical Programs:
Capital
For the financial year 2011/2012, the Municipality successfully completed the following capital projects:
Report under MIG
Report under LED
Purchase of yellow machinery
‐ New Holland grader
‐ Doosan excavator
‐ Case 580 TLTTW 90
‐ Slasher unit
Purchase of equipment
Outstanding projects
‐ additional yellow machinery
‐ Turn Circle testing station
‐ Extention of building
‐ Ware house for LED
Grants
Grants allocation was received to improve the infrastructure which is managed by MIG and reported accordingly
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS
Capital Projects
Goods and Services
The procurement of services and goods were done in terms of the Council’s Supply Chain Management Policy and the relevant regulations as promulgated.
QUARTERLY PROJECTIONS
The Quarterly projections for services rendered by the Technical Manager are completed on a quarterly basis and challenges are identified.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE:
Technical Services Department faces a big challenge of providing the services on a high level to the community of uPhongolo Municipality, Urban and Rural areas.
All services are rendered based on affordability to the community, however, weaknesses is based on additional machinery for this huge area and lack of payment.
A fixed base of employment exists. Additional members are also appointed based on a job creation programme and the alleviation of poverty.
The turnover of technical staff is very limited.
The Technical Manager position is currently vacant and will be filled in 2012/2013.
LEGISLATION:
Mining rights for borrow pits still to be finalized.
SALE OF ERVEN:
Applications for alleviation of vacant stands are processed according to the Land Disposal Policy.
TECHNICAL ADMIN:
For Good Governance and Public Participation, Technical Service Department encourages the public to come forward with their complaints and ensure that actions are taken and communicated properly.
Daily correspondence is attended to as well as any enquiries, which is received.
ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS:
Numerous enquiries and complaints lodged by members of the public have been attended to with the assistance of the other departments within the municipality.