There will be no changes to the boundaries of ward 97 or ward 93 ahead of the upcoming local government election (LGE).
This follows a proposal made to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MBD) to split the Toti urban area from two into four wards.
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Following opposition, the MDB opted to leave the ward boundaries unchanged.
Ward 97 comprises from Illovo Beach north to the centre of Amanzimtoti and inland towards Ezimangweni, while ward 93 constitutes the centre of Amanzimtoti north to the golf course and inland to Ezimbokodweni.
However, urbanisation and the subsequent densification of the southern areas around Amanzimtoti and further inland, coupled with a realignment of the outer boundaries to include three former Ugu Municipality wards from Vulamehlo (located between the R603 and Lower Illovo extending to include the new landfill site) has necessitated the creation of new wards, resulting in an increase from 102 to 110 wards.
“This has no effect on residents of either ward 93 or 97 having to change voting stations if they were previously correctly registered,” said ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.
“While the criteria for changing the ward boundaries appear both clear and considerate, the MDB received submissions proposing the fragmentation of the larger Amanzimtoti area, specifically ward 97, into three areas – each with a coastal component married to an inland rural component.
This was an attempt to manipulate the process in establishing a political advantage for a particular political party, referred to as gerrymandering,” said Cllr Beetge.
“Fortunately there was opposition to what was obviously a ludicrous proposal with no other objective than dividing a community.”
Confirm and update your registration status by sending an SMS with your ID number to 32910 (at a cost of R1 per SMS) or visit the IEC website on www.elections.org.za and enter your ID number, or register at the Sizakala Centre in Gracedale Road, Winklespruit (same location where vehicle registration is done), Monday to Friday between 8am and 3pm.
