Handover ceremony for POLYCO’s personal protective equipment (PPE) and trolleys took place yesterday at the uMhlathuze Municipality.

The City has officially accepted an equipment grant valued at R280,000 dedicated entirely to supporting our selected waste reclaimers. As part of this contribution, POLYCO donated 20 trolleys and 39 sets of PPE to recyclers operating within the City of uMhlathuze. During the event, the Mayor expressed strong appreciation for the partnership and encouraged the beneficiaries to make full use of the equipment to enhance their safety, dignity, and productivity.

In a decisive move to restore order and enforce municipal regulations, a multi-disciplinary bylaw enforcement operation was conducted last night in the Empangeni Central Business District (CBD).

The operation represents an escalation of the City's continuous efforts to curb illegal trading and address the proliferation of unlawfully built structures that have saturated the area. These structures are frequently used by unpermitted hawkers who operate outside of the law, creating obstructions and unfair competition for compliant businesses.

The primary objective of the blitz was to systematically identify and address the illegally constructed stalls, shacks, and extensions that have encroached upon public spaces. These structures not only violate city bylaws but also contribute to:

• Pedestrian and vehicular congestion, posing safety risks.
• Unsanitary conditions and litter accumulation.
• An unregulated trading environment that disadvantages law-abiding vendors and businesses.

This targeted blitz is not an isolated incident but an extension of the City's ongoing strategy to uphold law and order within its jurisdiction. The "multi-disciplinary" nature of the operation involving units from law enforcement, Security and Roads, which underscores a comprehensive approach to the complex issue of illegal trading.

The message from the City is clear: the enforcement of bylaws is critical for maintaining a safe, clean, and properly regulated business environment for all residents and legitimate entrepreneurs in Empangeni. Operations of this kind are expected to continue as part of the City's commitment to sustainable urban management.

Today 27/11/2025 , the City of uMhlathuze, through its Thusong Service Centres outreach programme sub unit successfully hosted an Integrated Service Delivery Drive at Sakhiseni Chreche in Ndabayakhe Ward 29 of the City of uMhlathuze, the aim was to extend essential government services and information to the public as part Batho Pele implementation and bringing government services closer to the people. The City is working hard in ensuring that the citizens does not travel long distances to access service as there are disadvantaged by area of residence.

The communities came out in numbers to embrace and enjoy services brought before them.

The City further extend an apology to those communuties who were eagered to receive service from Home Affairs which could not materilised due to technical matter, further promise to arrange the same services as soon as possible. The names of public collected on these outreach programme will be advased on the new date for Home Affairs soon.

A variety of stakeholders participated in the programme, including the Department of Health, Legal Aid South Africa, City of uMhlathuze Business Support and LED Unit, SASSA, Nedbank, Easy Pay ,FNB, GCIS, SAPS ,Icebolethu Funeral Services, EDITIA, Department of Labour, IEC, Silethukukhanya Foundation and more.

Approximately 280 community members were assisted during the outreach programme, making the initiative a great success in bringing services directly to the public.

The programme was also blessed by the presence of Cllr N.S Mngomezulu Ward 29, and other local community Leaders.

The City of uMhlathuze has officially commenced the festive season safety programme by intensifying law-enforcement operations to safeguard all road users. Over the past weekend, our Traffic Police, working in close collaboration with the KZN Traffic Police, and SAPS conducted targeted roadblocks at Esikhawini, Empangeni, and Richards Bay.

These coordinated operations led to the apprehension of numerous individuals for serious criminal offenses, including driving under the influence of alcohol, unlawful possession of firearms, and drugs. A total of 113 suspects were arrested and subsequently appeared before the Richards Bay Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.

The City will continue with these enforcement activities throughout the festive season and beyond. Continuous visibility of traffic officers and law-enforcement personnel will be maintained to ensure compliance with the National Road Traffic Act, promote responsible behaviour, and protect innocent road users.

These initiatives form an integral part of the City’s Safer City Crime Prevention Strategy, which prioritises proactive policing, crime prevention, and the protection of public infrastructure. The strategy also targets a wide range of criminal activities, including vehicle hijackings, motor vehicle theft, the trafficking of drugs, and the transportation of illicit goods. Through this approach, the City reaffirms its commitment to a secure, law-abiding municipal environment.

The Honourable Mayor, Cllr Xolani Ngwezi, urges all motorists and community members to adhere strictly to the law during this festive period and beyond. He emphasised that the City has adopted a zero-tolerance stance toward conduct that endangers lives. Any person found contravening the law will be arrested, charged, and prosecuted accordingly.

The Mayor further appeals to all street vendors, reminding them that they too are legally obliged to comply with all municipal by-laws, including trading permits, waste-management rules, and designated trading zones. He stressed that non-compliance will not be tolerated, as maintaining a clean, orderly, and safe city requires the cooperation of every stakeholder.

The City of uMhlathuze remains steadfast in prioritising the safety, well-being, and protection of its residents and all who visit our City.