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Word of Gratitude to Ratepayers Who Have Paid in Full

…those with outstanding balances are urged to have paid by end of this month as new rates bill will be out in April

The Municipal Council of Manzini would like to extend her heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all property owners who have fulfilled their civic responsibility by paying their rates in full. Your compliance and support contribute significantly to the efficient functioning of the City of Manzini and the delivery of essential services to the city. As the current financial year draws to an end, at the end of this month, the Municipality humbly reminds those who have not yet settled their rates to do so promptly. Clearing one’s rates balance by end of this month is essential to ensuring a smooth transition into the new financial year; which commences in April 2024. Payment of rates plays a vital role in enabling the Municipality to provide the expected services to the city; including waste collection, road maintenance, overgrowth removal on road reserves, city lighting, general city cleanliness and various other essential amenities that contribute to the wellbeing and growth of the city. On the flipside, non-payment or partial payment of rates negatively impacts the Municipality’s ability to deliver these crucial services efficiently. Records point to tens of millions of Emalangeni in rates that remain unpaid. These include current and arrear rates. New rates bills will be issued next month; which marks the start of the 2024/2025 financial year. The desire is for all property owners to start the financial year with zero rates balances.

…RATES PAYMENT METHODS

The Municipality has various rates payment methods as listed below;

• USSD Code *440# (allows one not only to pay but also view their rates balances)
• Electronic Funds Transfer (Municipality has accounts with all the banks in Eswatini)
• Debit Order arrangement
• Mobile Money
• E-Mali
• Debit/credit card swiping at the Rates Hall
• Cash payment at the Rates Hall

…RATEPAYERS URGED TO UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION

The Municipal Council of Manzini finds it vital that contact information for property owners be constantly updated and kept as current as possible. These include phone numbers (landline and cellphone), email addresses, postal addresses, next of kin information and any changes in residency. Keeping contact information up-to-date enables effective communication between the Municipality and property owners; not only for rates payment reminders but also timely notifications in case of emergencies such as natural disasters, service delivery disruptions, community meetings, community improvement projects as well as available opportunities in the Municipality. The Municipality, therefore, implores all property owners to update their contact information. The same call is being made to property owners who have recently acquired property; be it residential or commercial or urban farmland. The Rating Act, 1995 directs that new owners of property are required to submit proof of property ownership (title deed) to the Municipality within 14 days of acquisition of the property so that the necessary changes in terms of contact information for that particular property can be made. Property owners can contact the Municipality through 7912 1196/7916 3832/7916 3802 or the official WhatsApp line (7808 2333/7908 2333) or by email (info@manzinicity.co.sz) to update their contact information.

…OVERNIGHT PARKING OF TRUCKS, TRAILERS IN PARKS, ROADSIDES ILLEGAL

The Municipal Council of Manzini notes with concern an increase in an illegal practice whereby public open spaces such as recreational parks and roadside open spaces, commonly near filling stations, are utilized as overnight parking lots or storage facilities for haulage trucks and trailers. The Municipality implores owners of such to desist from the illegal practice. Utilising recreational parks and other public open spaces as storage facilities for haulage trucks, trailers and other equipment is detrimental to the intended purpose of such facilities. It also poses environmental risks as spills or leaks from these vehicles contaminate the soil, nearby water bodies and vegetation in the park; causing harm to the eco-system. Moreover, it impacts the safety of residents as children playing in the recreational parks might be curious and venture too close to these vehicles; exposing them to the risk of accidents. The presence of trucks, trailers and any other vehicles in these public open spaces negatively impacts the overall aesthetics of the facilities. Overnight parking of trucks on the roadsides, exits from filling stations and blind corners is equally concerning as it impedes free movement of traffic and has the potential to cause traffic accidents and other disastrous situations. Owners of heavy haulage trucks are advised to make use of available truck depots in nearby Matsapha industrial area.

…4 IDP COMMUNITY CONSULTATION MEETINGS THIS WEEK

…please attend and participate towards shaping the future of Manzini City. Your voice matters

The Municipal Council of Manzini will be hosting community meetings in four municipal wards this week as part of the process towards development of a new Integrated Development Plan that will run from the year 2024 to 2030. This follows coming to an end of the current 2019-2024 IDP at the end of this month. The IDP is a development guiding framework that will shape the future of Manzini city throughout the next six years. The Municipality invites residents of these wards to attend the consultation meetings in their numbers and actively participate so to ensure that their voices are heard and considered decision-making in relation to the new IDP. The Municipality is grateful to the municipal wards that have already been covered (Wards 1, 6 and 7) for their invaluable input. This week the consultation meetings will be held on the following dates;