PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
9 May 2025
Issued by the Dolphin Coast Residents & Ratepayers Association (DOCRRA)
Stephanie Walker, Executive Officer, DOCRRA
064 737 2269
stephanie@docrra.co.za
www.docrra.co.za
KwaDukuza Organised Residents Alliance (KORA) Condemns Imbizo Cancellations in Shayamoya and Nkobongo (Wards 23 & 8)
KDM Fails to Meet Statutory Budget Public Participation Requirements
[Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, 9 May 2025] – The ‘25/’26 Mayoral IDP/Budget Imbizos for the Shayamoya and Nkobongo communities, scheduled for this morning (9 May 2025) and Saturday, 10 May 2025, have been cancelled, with no official public notice being given.
The Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayer’s Association (DOCRRA, founding member of KORA) found out about the cancellations when making enquiries for the presentations ahead of the event in the late afternoon of Thursday, 8 May. This follows repeated attempts to obtain the presentations since 22 April 2025. No official communication has been made by the municipality on any known public platforms, and the only person present from the municipality at the Shayamoya Hall this morning, was a cleaner.
“We have been mobilizing our communities to attend these imbizos for several weeks only to turn up on the day and find nothing. No one has communicated with us and the frustration of residents is reaching boiling point,” explained Thami Chiliza, KwaDukuza Business Forum chairman and DOCRRA executive committee member. “The residents of Shayamoya and Nkobongo are being ignored by KDM and are not even given the opportunity to express their views at public meetings. These communities have even submitted petitions to the Municipality regarding the problems they are facing with unaccountable Councillors. The matter is currently being handled by COGTA.”
These cancellations come after the imbizos were already postponed from their original date of 3 May 2025 to 9 & 10 May 2025, over a month ago. To cancel these events less than 24 hours prior, after having scheduled them over a month ago, is simply unacceptable.
The municipality is bound by law to foster a culture of public participation and engagement, and the annual IDP/Budget imbizo is one of the most critical forums where this occurs in the municipal calendar. Council is also required by law to allow for questions and comments on the budget at this forum, which must be considered before the draft budget is tabled for approval. Any failure to consult with the community renders the budget process inherently flawed. The clock is ticking on the timeline for tabling the draft to Council and time is running out.
Just over two weeks ago, KDM hosted an imbizo for the wider Ballito area, the ratepayer’s associations and civil society, that drew an unprecedented turnout of over 600 residents. Why is the same opportunity for engagement not being provided to residents in previously disadvantaged communities like Shayamoya and Nkobongo? Why has the mayor made himself available to participate in the labour strike in Stanger, in direct contradiction of media statements from his own office, but not to the community in the ward where he serves as Councillor? Why has KDM failed to communicate with the community?
These cancellations demonstrate the inability of this municipality to communicate effectively, a total disregard and disrespect of residents, and a lack of seriousness in adherence to prescribed participation timelines – particularly by political leadership.
KORA stands with our members and residents in these communities to demand their rights be protected and their voices be heard.
ENDS
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