IFP EThekwini District

ELDERLY RATEPAYER CAUGHT IN MUNICIPAL BUREAUCRATIC FAILURE DESPITE APPROVED DEBT WRITEOFF

Phoenix, Durban – 24 June 2026

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called on the eThekwini Municipality to urgently account for what appears to be a serious administrative failure involving an elderly resident whose debt write-off application was approved several years ago but remains unimplemented.

Mr Poobalan Naicker of 57 Umarkot Crescent, Merebank, submitted an application for debt relief in 2020. According to correspondence from municipal officials, the application was processed and approved, with the write-off reportedly granted in 2022.

Despite this approval, the municipality has allegedly failed to implement the write-off on the customer's account, resulting in continued uncertainty and distress for the resident.

Councillor Jonathan Annipen has written to municipal officials requesting an urgent explanation and immediate intervention. Correspondence dating back to February 2025 and March 2026 confirms that the application had been processed and approved. However, the relief granted to the resident has not been reflected on the municipal account.

"It is completely unacceptable that residents, particularly elderly citizens, should be prejudiced because of failures within the municipality's administrative systems," said Councillor Annipen.

"Where a debt write-off has been approved, the municipality has an obligation to ensure that the decision is implemented without delay. Residents should not be forced to reapply or endure further hardship because municipal officials have failed to execute an approved decision."

The IFP maintains that it would be unjust to require Mr Naicker to submit a new application for a process that has already been completed and approved. Instead, the municipality should investigate why the approved write-off was not actioned and take corrective measures against any officials responsible for the delay.

This matter raises broader concerns regarding accountability, record-keeping, and service delivery within the municipality. Residents place their trust in municipal processes and should not suffer financial prejudice because of administrative inefficiency.

The IFP has requested that the municipality provide an urgent status report and ensure that the approved relief is implemented without any further delay.

The party remains committed to protecting vulnerable residents and ensuring that municipal officials are held accountable when service failures negatively impact communities.

Issued by:
Councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
eThekwini Municipality

Media Enquiries:
Dr Jonathan Annipen
076 1877 488

Today the leadership of the IFP in eThekwini District, consisting of Chairperson Councillor Mdu Nkosi, the secretary and also the member of the NEC, Hon Joshua Mazibuko and Cllr Thusi, visited the bereaved family of the late comrade Bonga Nzuza of Montclair. Comrade Nzuza recently passed away after a short illness.
Comrade Nzuza was once an IFP Organizer here in eThekwini, thereafter, he joined another political party. However, he later returned to the IFP until his final moment. He was a very hardworking, card-carrying member of the IFP.
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Inkatha Freedom Party - IFP eThekwini District Secretary, Mr Joshua Mazibuko, recently conducted a VD inspection in Ward 109, South Constituency, under the leadership of Chairperson Nathi Hill. The inspection covered Llovu (Kingsburgh VD) and Bhekulwandle (Good Hope VD), where dedicated IFP Party Agents were hard at work engaging communities and strengthening voter registration efforts.

It was encouraging to witness young people taking the lead, as the Ward 109 branch is driven by a vibrant youth structure committed to advancing the values and vision of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

The future of our movement is in capable hands as our IFP Youth Brigade continue to demonstrate leadership, dedication, and service to the community.
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Ward 51 Phoenix North Constituency

A successful voter registration weekend was concluded with a special visit from Hon. L*z Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, accompanied by Dr. Jonathan Annipen, IFP PR Councillor for Phoenix.

Hon. L*z Govender was pleased to witness the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, particularly the strong youth presence. He encouraged, motivated, and expressed his appreciation for their tireless efforts on the ground in serving the community and strengthening democracy through voter registration.

Ward 51 was also honoured by a visit from senior leadership, Hon. Nessa Bhanprakash, a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature (MPL). Hon. Bhanprakash took note of the overwhelming youth participation and expressed hes pride in seeing such a vibrant, motivated, and energetic group of young people supporting the IFP. He commended their commitment and dedication, which reflects the confidence and trust they have in the leadership of Ward 51 and the IFP.

It was an excellent and highly successful registration weekend, made possible by the dedication of our volunteers, supporters, and leadership. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this achievement.

MEDIA STATEMENT

Deputy Minister Narend Singh Meets Residents Over Controversial Sale of Community Park for Infill Housing Development

PHOENIX, DURBAN – 21 June 2026

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Mr Narend Singh, on Sunday met with concerned residents at the Marsstan Place Community Park in Phoenix, where community members voiced strong opposition to the sale of the public open space for an infill housing development.

The meeting brought together residents, civic activists, community organisations and government representatives to discuss concerns surrounding the future of the park, which residents say has served the community for nearly four decades.

Residents expressed frustration that the park and children's play area, which has existed for approximately 40 years, was rezoned and subsequently sold without meaningful consultation with the surrounding community. Community members argued that they were never adequately informed or engaged during the rezoning process and believe that the loss of public recreational space will have a detrimental impact on future generations.

Further concerns were raised regarding findings contained in the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Report of March 2023, which examined aspects of the municipality's land disposal processes. Residents questioned why developers implicated in the report continue to conduct business with the municipality despite recommendations that such entities should be blacklisted. Community members also highlighted concerns that, despite the report identifying serious administrative shortcomings and procedural irregularities, no visible consequential action has been taken against municipal officials implicated in those findings.

Mr Singh, who also serves as the District Development Model (DDM) Champion for eThekwini, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and committed to engaging with the relevant municipal authorities.

«"Residents have raised serious concerns regarding consultation, governance and environmental compliance. These matters deserve careful attention. Whenever rezoning, development or changes to land use are contemplated, there should be meaningful public participation and proper consultation with affected communities. I will engage with the relevant authorities to better understand these concerns and explore possible solutions," said Singh.»

The Deputy Minister further indicated that his department would investigate allegations relating to the removal of protected vegetation and indigenous trees on the site. He stated that where environmental legislation has been breached, appropriate enforcement action, including penalties and fines where applicable, would be considered.

Also addressing the gathering was IFP Councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen, who explained that the zoning designation known as SR180 forms part of the municipality's broader Infill Housing Programme and stems from policy decisions adopted by the city.

«"The concerns raised by residents highlight the need for a review of policies governing infill housing and the disposal of public open spaces. Communities must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their neighbourhoods. The IFP will continue pursuing remedial policy interventions to ensure greater transparency, accountability and public participation in these processes," said Annipen.»

The meeting was also attended by Hon. Les Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, representatives of civic organisations, community activists and concerned residents.

Community leaders welcomed the engagement and expressed hope that the intervention by national government would assist in addressing long-standing concerns relating to governance, environmental protection, public participation and the preservation of community recreational spaces.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Cllr Dr Jonathan Annipen
IFP Councillor – eThekwini Municipality

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and also the chairperson of the IFP in KwaZulu Natal Hon. Thami Ntuli visited various voting districts around KwaMashu today encouraging the community to register to vote as today was the last day of the voter registration weekend. He started his visit at KwaMashu Hostel where he greeted the scores of IFP supporters. Also in attendance were the leadership of eThekwini District and the leadership of the North Central Constituency.
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Happy Father's Day

The IFP Deputy Secretary in the eThekwini District and also a member of the National Assembly of South Africa, Hon. Thokozani Langa was pleased with the turnout of the IFP volunteers and those who were there to register to vote at the Dassenhoek (Ward 13 ) in the Inner West Constituency. Accompanying him were the Secretary of the Constituency, Bheki Hadebe, Cllr Thusi, Chairperson of the ward, Sbonelo Ntombela, secretary Angie Ntombela and Treasurer Sibusiso Magwaza
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MEC for Cogta, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, visited Ward 85 Sekelani Voting District in Umlazi where he engaged with IFP supporters and the community at large. In attendance were some of the leadership of South Central Constituency of the IFP including the PR councillors of the voting district.
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Christmas came early for a special voter, Thulisile Cele of IFP WARD 99 after the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Hon. Narend Singh together with the ward councillor, Cllr Jane Naidoo, donated a wheelchair for her. Thulisile stays at eLunguza in eMagabheni which is a very steep terrain for a person with her condition. Before donating the wheelchair Hon. Singh visited the Dlambula Voting District where he interacted with the Chairperson of the Dlambula V.D. , Mrs Molly Mngadi and the IFP volunteers.
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