#LockdownLevel4: Durban’s finance sectors open for business

ETHEKWINI Municipality’s finance services began operating, according to the 4 lockdown regulations, from 13 May.

In a media release this week, the Municipality said its finance sectors were preparing to resume service as they had been deemed essential.

Regulations stipulate that one third of staff will return to work on a rotating schedule with venues phasing in starting with the banking hall at the Florence Mkhize Building (FMB), Anton Lembede Street.

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The national level 5 lockdown declared in March, due to the COVID19 pandemic, had a devastating effect on the finances of the City.

With an almost R1.5 billion loss from March, the City expects an even lower return on revenue as many consumers are still being affected by reduced or complete loss of income despite the opening of businesses and industry on level 4.

The City’s Finance cluster has taken every measure to ensure it is in full compliance with the regulations set by government and all affected units have been prepared accordingly for staff returning to work.

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“The health and safety of staff is a priority and all occupational health and lockdown regulations; protocols and guidelines will be strictly adhered to. A thorough inspection of our offices by health authorities accompanied by representatives of labour and Human Resources was undertaken to ensure compliance of our state of readiness,” said Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda.

“All issues relating to risk mitigation undertaken by Occupational Health and Safety regarding personal protective equipment, point-of-entry screening, isolation areas, screens, cleansing and cleaning of buildings, sanitizing points and social distancing have been addressed. Plans have been submitted to representatives of Labour, the Mayoral Covid team, Human Resources and the Provincial Covid 19 Committee,” he added.

The services that will resume as during normal office hours from include:

-Revenue

-Property Rates

-Clearance Certificates

-Call Centre

-Customer Services in a phased approach starting at the banking hall FMB

-Credit Control

-Accounts Management

-Legal processes

The Municipality will also automatically renew rebates for the following beneficiaries:

-Senior Citizens

-Medically boarded

-Child headed household

– Disability grantees

Customers are urged to make use of all remote services available for payments and queries to reduce the risks for both staff and public.

All revenue queries can be submitted via the correspondence link: https://correspondence.durban.gov.za:200/

Those who need to visit the offices are urged to adhere to the rules of social distancing, wearing a face mask and sanitising your hands.

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