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PROPERTY PROFILE
— Tim Lindsay-White —
Sunfield foils scam Official enquiry into ing the handbrake on our local market in the
middle of the N3.
The new National Credit Act, although likely
uMngeni’s affairs
Whilst several scams have been reported in the media recently,
invoking the names of senior political officials, in particular the
office of the premier, S’bu Ndebele, Howick was subject to its own
to remove inefficiency from the bond market by
preventing artificial demand and possible default,
has pulled up our market’s handbrake further by
drama two weeks ago. An official investigation has begun into the affairs of uMngeni limiting bonds to disposal income and not sim-
Numerous taxi owners were convinced to part with tens of thou- Municipality. ply a percentage of gross income.
Most recently we have seen the prime bond
sands of rands each to provide services on contracts that failed to The minister of Local Government, Housing and Traditional Af-
rate rise half a percent to 13%, with the pros-
materialise by a man impersonating an official of the premier’s of- fairs, Mike Mabuyakhulu, has authorised an enquiry in terms of pect of another possible rise to 13,5% at the next
fice. Section 106 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, no. policy meeting in August.
The timely intervention of Sunfield Home’s general manager, 32 of 2000, which states that if an MEC has reason to believe that a In case that wasn’t enough, the civil servants
Leanne Viljoen, and the ward 5 councillor, Tim Lindsay-White, municipality in the province cannot and does not fulfil a statutory strike brought the Deeds Registry to a standstill!
resulted in the arrest of a man and his being charged with several obligation binding on that municipality, or that maladministration, And yet still property has remained one of
counts of fraud. fraud, corruption or any other serious malpractice has occurred or the soundest investments!
The area concerned stretches from Durban to Estcourt, and po is occurring, the MEC must if he considers it necessary designate a
Expect Great Things
Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2 033 330 3865
Hi-Q
Building Contrac- for all your long Hi-Q NOTTINGHAM ROAD
tors, for all your and short-distance Tel: 033-266 6748
building require- haulage, Fax: 033-266 6754
ments. Contact contact 280-litre LG fridge/freezer
Suresh at Kimesh at THE ONE YOU CAN TRUST combo 280l — R2 69900
082-782 8585. 082-929 6950.
Telefunken portable TVs — R89900
12 Market Street, Mooi River, 3300
Tel.: 033-263 1852 or 263 1454 Vacuum cleaners from R45000
Fax: 033-263 2480 • Cell: 082-926 2196 7 500 papers Est. May 1996 FREE DVD players from R36000
Page 2 — 27th July 2007 The Midlands Herald
Quarterly Report of the ers and the Concerned Ratepayers Group the above is not in the spirit of the legisla- The Title Deed itself shows that the recy-
made available substantial documentation to tion. cle centre has been built in contravention of
Chief Financial Officer, MPPs Scott and Tarr reflecting the poor per- With the substantial adverse criticism car- its zoning and use for parking and toilets, a
uMngeni Municipality formance of uMngeni Municipality the ried in the article, M.E.C. Zweli Mkize will condition that could only be approved by the
MPPs were quoted in subsequent articles be hard pressed to explain his Department’s “State”. To date the Title Deed remains un-
Dear Sir, stating that the municipality’s record was failure to prevent the present situation de- amended.
The Quarterly report for June 2007 just above reproach. veloping as the Minister of finance has del- The facts: It is a fact that the Centre had
received reveals the following:- Salary and Now it would seem that the “unholy Al- Recycle
egated centre
this function disregard
to him. been built in defiance of proper zoning.
Wages Vote Overspent (R2 970 219), Sav- liance” of Mayor and Manager need to be of procedure
Claude and public
Edwards, Concerned Ratepayers/ It is a fact that neither interested and af-
ings Remuneration of Councillors recalled to explain subsequent developments. Residents
Sir, Group, Howick fected parties, nor the community at large,
R1 165 162, Interest external loans It is incongruous that the performance In response to the letter by uMngeni were consulted prior to its establishment.
R1 759 991, Income under-recovered for bonus percentage is reflected as consider- Municipal Manager F D Vilakazi in respect It is a fact that the building encroaches
Property Rates R17 027 916, user charges ably higher than that previously awarded to of the Recycle Center blunder “The Facts “ across a street surveyed as long ago as 1850!
for services R2 358 456 and Income over- Dr. Michael Sutcliffe (75%) by eThekwini. published in Village Talk, 4 July 2007. It is a fact that no road closure was publi-
recoveries for Grants and subsidies R1 155 Any percentage above that is beyond the Mr Vilakazi insinuates in his letter that cized. It is a fact that the public was never
599. pale. Only misdirected political support proper authority was obtained. He is called consulted.
There are numerous other under- and over- could reflect the uMngeni figure. upon to prove his statements. It is a fact that we, the public, are over-
recoveries but insufficient to meet the defi- Scott states that there is legislation in the Evidence to the contrary suggests that whelmingly in support of recycling, but not
cit. pipeline from National Government to limit neither the Planning Department nor the of administrative disregard for procedure and
The rates problem is attributed to farm- the capacity of municipalities to determine Planning Committee were consulted, nor public opinion, resulting in ratepayer’s
ers. rates randage. plans approved by the Building Inspectorate money being used to pay a legal team to de-
The Debtor’s analysis reveals the total In fact this legislation already exists. at that time. fend arrogant disregard of our legislation
outstanding as at 30 June 2007 as Section 20 of the PRA provides that the As a consequence, due process of the ad- against its law-abiding residents.
R98 611 711.08 of which R80 993 603.29 is Minister (DPLG) may proclaim a percent- ministration itself was not followed. Now The relevant provincial authority is called
150 days or more. Rates debtors are reflected age limitation on rate randage increases. court action is in progress one senses the upon to protect the interests of its people
as R48 375 816.74 and water debtors as This year of course the rate randage de- Municipal Manager is simply attempting to and investigate the manner in which this in-
R25 483 696.52. creased because of the revaluation and such legitimize these actions after the fact with- sult to the law-abiding public has been in-
Perhaps the M.E.C. Finance could com- power was of course ineffective. out transparency or accountability and hence stigated.
ment hereon together with the Portfolio More seriously, DPLG have stated in without due regard to our country’s laws, Officials who act in a wasteful or negli-
Committee on Finance. correspondence that it is not obligatory for our municipality’s by-laws, and the public. gent fashion, in disregard of due process,
The now-infamous uMngeni budget the Minister to issue a Proclamation. Opportunities to resolve this matter ami- should be held accountable in their personal
Nalini Naidoo’s article on 20 July, headed Can ratepayers therefore expect another cably prior to the High Court enforcing such capacities.
“uMngeni Budget under fire”, is pertinent. unbridled increase in 2008/2009 ? action were ignored to the ratepayers and R D MacKellar
Notwithstanding that “complex” ratepay- A senior Parliamentarian has stated that interested and affected parties’ detriment.
The Midlands Page 5 — 27th July 2007
Herald
the Midlands Disaster your wonderful efforts Tel: 033-330 2071 Avocados
to recent, future fire disaster eral Meeting of all Members of the Cham-
ber has been called by the undersigned at
the Howick Sports Club, Market Street,
by the Member and witnessed by two inde-
pendent persons.
Please confirm your attendance (or apolo-
out. fires better — Mr Vilakazi asked for Howick on Monday, 20 August 2007 at gies) to the Secretary before 15 August 2007
“In other words, then the process is not clarification on this source and said that 17;30 to transact the following urgent busi- at the following contact numbers:- Telephone
succeeding, because you are not allowing the reports were false and no-one from the ness: 033 330 5626, Fax 033 330 5637 or E-mail
community participation.” media had tried to contact him. 1) To waive items 8,12 and 9,1 of the Con- ucci@netfocus.co.za
Mr Vilakazi then accused him of being a “Then why didn’t you try to contact me stitution for the purposes of this meet- Issued on 16 July, 2007 by the following
politician, to which Mr Hoole replied that if you saw me being quoted in the media?” ing; Members:-
he was a businessman representing the com- Mr Hoole asked. 2) To inform Members of the current fi- Nick McConnell, Hubers cc.; Tim Lindsay-
munity and looking for relief and assistance “I don’t have to,” Mr Vilakazi is said to nancial situation of the Chamber; White, Sotheby’s International; Bob Staf-
at this time. have replied. 3) To decide on the future continuance of ford-Mayer, Howick Metal Products; Don
When he criticised certain comments Mr Hoole told The Herald that to his the Chamber, and Nott, Midlands Community College; Red
made by municipal officials that knowledge the only assistance thus far that 4) To elect a new Executive Committee of Haines, RC. Haines and Assoc. ; Russell
sometimes are unhelpful — for example, uMngeni Municipality has given the relief the Chamber. Barnes, The Midlands Herald; Ellen
speaker Surya Pillay was said to have effort has been in lending municipal vehi- Note:- In terms of the Constitution of the Mitchell, AA Gas; Shawn Naicker, Acacia
stated two days after the fire that farmers cles to the Department of Welfare to distrib- Chamber, the Executive Committee shall Printers; Ken Pascoe, Ama Bloka Bloka; Paul
need to train their farmworkers to fight ute food parcels to the 88 families that were consist of a minimum of six members and a Rencken, Andy’s Mart; Kingsley Krog,
affected. maximum of 12 members. Any member may Countri-Tech; Mike Goldstone, Country
volunteer or nominate a candidate for elec- Kitchens; Kevin Vally, First National Bank;
tion to the Executive Committee. Nomina- Martin & Giovanni, Giovision; Leisel
Arts & Events Diary include the company names of all the parties
signing the nomination.
Postal ballots may be submitted to the Sec-
Kelmanson cc.; Dick Comins, Merrivale
Motors; Lawrence Taylor, TKT. Manufac-
turing and John Tungay, Worldwide Digital
Theatre: val. retary before commencement of the meeting Broadcasting.
Paul Slabolepszy’s “Not The Big Easy” This is Paul’s 30th play. Highlights
on at the Catalina Theatre until 5 August. among them being “Saturday Night at the
Buy one get one free, every Sunday.
“Not The Big Easy” is the story of a
golfing “everyman” — 50 year old Ernie
Palace”, “The Return of Elvis du Pisane”,
“Pale Natives”, “Mooi Street Moves”,
“Under the Oaks”, “Over the Hill”, “Heel
Everything just perfect at
Evans, the “other” Ernie . . .
There are those of us who spend our
lives in the rough trying to get onto the
Against the Head” and “Running Riot”.
For more information or to book call
Thandeka on 031-305 6889.Shows are
eMthunzini Restaurant
fairway. Ernie is one of those. He has Tuesday until Saturday at 8 pm and Sun-
reached a “crossroads” in his life. day at 6 pm.Tickets are now available
We discover him scouring the “rough” online at www.strictlytickets.com or on Left: eMthunzini
on the 16th hole of a golf course some- our website at www.catalinatheatre.co.za Restaurant at The
where in Gauteng looking for the fifth ball or at www.goingplacessa.co.za. Shed can be found
he has used today. R65 for adults, R55 students and pen- near the forthcom-
ing Riverside
The show had its world premiere at sioners. Parental Guidance: 13. development on
the Playhouse in East London, and has Both Bobby and Paul would like to dedi- the other side of
played at the Hexagon in cate this Durban season to the memory the Umgeni River,
Pietermaritzburg, Liberty Theatre on the of their great friend and colleague, Bill between Howick
and the N3. Here
Square in Johannesburg, the Mardi Gras Flynn. chef Austean Phiri
Theatre in Carnival City and a season in is cooking up pure
Grahamstown at the National Arts Festi- gastronomic
delights.
Picture: Sandy
Dixon
Gospel: choir, accompanied by an 8-piece band,
US Gospel star, Kirk Franklin, for Dur- 6-piece dance troupe and some of the
ban One World Festival Concert, at the youngest and finest vocal talent in South
ICC, Saturday 28th July. Africa.
US contemporary gospel music star, Joyous Celebration impresario, co- eMthunzini Restaurant at The Shed in The rest of us found contentment in
Kirk Franklin, comes to Durban with his founder, musical director and conductor, Howick must be one of the better on the springbok loin wrapped with spinach and
18 piece band to headline the 2007 “One Lindelani Mkhize is playing a meaning- Meander today. bacon, par-fried and roasted in the oven, s
World Music Festival”, which also fea- ful role in staging this watershed music Our party of four — which included erved with savoury samp and jungle beans;
tures the awesome “Joyous Celebra- event. wellknown Midlands restaurateurs Jan and Chef Austean’s special curry of juicy chicken
tions” choir to take place at the ICC on The “One World Concerts” are an in- Louise van Niekerk formerly of Aladdin’s- breast cooked in mild curry and coconut
28 July. tegral part of this year’s annual “One de-Light in Nottingham Road — was im- milk, together with prawns and basmati rice
Franklin — who is famed for marrying World Festival” which builds bridges and pressed by chef Austean Phiri’s wonderful and grilled banana; and baked Cape salmon
gospel to a hip-hop R&B genre — is a creates relationships between New Or- and extensive menu. Expect unexpected com- with spinach and feta cheese in phyllo pas-
multi-Grammy Award-winning platinum- leans and sister city Durban. binations of food, with lots of subtle Afri- try topped with Cape de Paris butter, and
selling artist whose debut album Kirk The concert serves to create aware- can flavours but still exotic ! lemon basmati rice and vegetables.
Franklin and the Family spent 100 weeks ness about this ambitious and far-reach- I could tell that Jan’s considered his starter The desserts, too, were glorious.
on the gospel charts and became the first ing initiate which aims to generate tour- of oven-baked marrowbones with mampoer, The restaurant has been revamped impres-
gospel album to go platinum. ism jobs in the long-term, create cultural sweet potato and grape conserve a winner. sively for a distinct African feel, with out-
Despite his fame as a performer, connections and be the impetus for eco- Hannelie enjoyed her Maungu soup (a side undercover bar and catering area, and
Franklin remains a humble, devout Chris- nomic engines between the two dynamic Malawian pumpkin and small sugar beans bamboo partition and ceiling cut by Austean
tian. cities. soup dish) while I relished my Mozambican himself.
Franklin will share the bill with South For more information, visit the website seafood platter, served with the traditional Want to take guests or family and friends
Africa’s “Joyous Celebration” in two con- www.dowfestival.com and homemade bread, “pao”. out for a treat, and all at reasonable prices?
certs of awesome, inspiring contempo- www.southafricaninvestmentgroup.com. Louise, who for 12 years at Aladdin’s In our four-fold opinion you can’t go
rary gospel music. “Joyous Celebration” served up some pretty exciting dishes, joined wrong here at all.
has grown from being a hit gospel show Booking for the concert is through us on the main dishes for whole baby chicken Telephone 033-330 6257.
in 1996, to a formidable 34-member Computicket nationwide. and minted couscous. Russell Barnes
The Midlands Herald Page 9 — 27th June 2007
Below: AJ’s staff — from left, Gugu, Michelle, Zandile, Ninga, Londi, Bony and manager Taz.
Our very best wishes to all at
Amy's Restaurant & Pizzeria
TEL: 033-330 4588
Shop 5/6, Howick Centre, Harvard Street, Howick
Howick Stationers
11 Main Street, Howick
Phone/fax: 033-330 7696
Wonderpak Packaging
Wholesalers Above: Clive Heath, Amy’s’ and Aj’s’ new “delivery man”,
Telephone 033-342 4207 and the spanking new bike with Aj’s manager Taz Pearson.
386G Church Street, Pietermaritzburg
The face of Howick, over the past months,
Congratulations with your has changed. Trees have been felled, fires
have taken their toll and parking is hard to
two successful businesses, find.
and wishing you all the One of the few things that has not changed
best for the future is Amy’s Restaurant and AJ’s Take-away —
still producing excellent food and service,
and consistently so.
Having said that, a new joint effort
Above: Amy’s Restaurant staff — back from left: Lungi, Sylvia, Precious, Patricia, Thobile, Eunice and
between the two food outlets, a new delivery Gelly; front from left: Amy and Martinette.
service has been started to provide Good Hot
Tel. 033-330 2807 Food to your door. Amy’s will be closed only on a Monday Taz who has made sure that the wellknown
Both shops welcome Clive to the team. after 4 pm and AJ’s is open on Sunday from flame-grilled chicken products and curry
Congratulations You will see him about town on his new 1 pm to 9 pm. dishes are as good as ever.
to you and we wish you scooter; give him a hoot! The free delivery service, for the Howick The combination of the two food outlets
Purveyors of fine food and Merrivale Areas, will operate between certainly adds a huge variety of meals
well in business! In order to support the delivery service, 9 am and 4 pm from Monday to Friday. supporting their motto: “Something for
the trading hours of both shops have been Amy’s, now entering its 6th year under everyone!”
Super meat, super service changed to provide a service seven days a the ownership of Amy Bailey, has certainly Catch our taste!
week. become a special place for the Howick locals. Both Amy’s and AJ’s want to say “thank
Her reputation you” to all their regular customers and
has spread far and suppliers for their ongoing support.
Telephone
HOWICK SPICES wide, as attested to Let’s hope that Howick changes for the
by the postcards that best!
033-330 2285 & PRAYER GOODS are received For orders, telephone 033-330 4227.
SHOP 4, SPAR CENTRE, HOWICK. TEL.: 033-330 6399/082-730 4953 regularly from
Stockists of: Mixed Masalas, Indian Curry Spices, Exotic Spices foreign visitors!
and Herbs, Pickles, Ginger/Garlic, Baking Goods, Wide Range of A range of Daily
Congratulations to AJ’s Incense Sticks, Complete Range of Prayer Goods for all Occasions.
GRAEMOR
ACCOUNTING Howick Falls Garage
DUNLOP INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS (PTY) LTD
SERVICES 23 Main Street, Howick • 330 2121 Sales & service of gas appliances
Gas, coal and wood fireplaces
Induna Mills Road, P.O. Box 29, Howick 3290 Tel. 033-330 2922 • Fax 033-330 2925
Telephone 033-239 3311 • Fax 033-239 3388 1 Gush Avenue, Howick Proud to be associated Congratulations on
graemor@yebo.co.za • www.graemor.co.za
At our Howick factory we: with our community your sterling work!
• Mix natural and synthetic rubber into We are pleased to support assistance and support Telephone Peter —
compounds. 082-454 0824 • 033-330 2717
this valuable cause! We like to keep you moving 35 Ogilvie Road, Merrivale Industrial Park
From which we produce:
• Belting — for use in mines and heavy
industry for the conveying of ore and
coal.
• Industrial Hose — in various sizes
Merrivale
for applications in mines and industry.
• Automotive products — such as Open 7 days a week — 7 am - 7pm
radiator and fuel hose and seals for
automotive windscreens and doors. Tel 033-330 4092 • Fax 033-330 5816 • 13 Zeederberg Road, Merrivale
We are proud
to support your work We are proud to be associated with your vital contribution.
at Howick Hospice
The Midlands Herald Page 11 — 27th July 2007
Baggies
@ R4000
HERALD Sport
No. 197 • Friday 27th July 2007
* Panelbeating
* Spraypainting * Fibreglass A Howick youngster hopes to travel with the defence. quickly and being versatile, the canoes them-
repairs and fabrication * South African men’s canoe polo team to “The game is — when you’re attacking, selves are under three metres in length and
Bakkie linings Canada in July next year. all of you are attacking, and when you’re have bumpers at the front and back, the like-
Dale Morphew has been playing for Na- defending, all of you are defending,” he able youngster explains.
tal A team since 2004, having been selected explains. “It’s a very intense and physical game,”
for the U21 side in 2001 while a Grade 10 So what attracts him to it? he says of it. “Players are allowed to ram
pupil at Weston. “I don’t actually know. When I play polo, other canoes. The trick of it is to try and
Up to about fifteen players gather to prac- I feel free. keep the ball moving while you manoeuvre
tise at the University pool in “I really love it. I feel that my heart is in your boat.”
Rustic Concrete Pietermaritzburg on a Monday night — “but the sport. When I’ve played, I feel like a Since early 2007 he has been training at
Tiles • Pavers • Cobbles not as many at the moment when it’s winter new person.” the Midlands Well-ness and Fitness Centre
Cladding • Various sizes and cold!” he quips. The game of canoe polo in Howick, where personal trainer Justin
Dale plays a multiple role in the team, The game of canoe polo is played in an Stewart has been helping him to build up
Contact Lyn or Rob and possesses strengths in both attack and area of 23 metres by 35 metres on pools, his strength and rehabilitate a shoulder in-
3 Geekie Road, Howick (opposite dams and even — as jury that had him out of action for all of
Merrivale KwikSpar) • Cell 082-578 0659 he discovered on an 2006.
or telephone/fax: 033-330 7054 (a/h). GEARBOX & DIFF overseas trip in 2005 SA Champs in Durban
EXCHANGE & REPAIRS — on canals in Bel- Fit again, Dale has just played in the re-
gium! cent SA Champs in Durban held three weeks
Midlands Branch Dale spent three ago.
Tel. 033-330 5568/96; Cell: 072-126 1800 months working on Natal A played magnificently to win the
5 Main Road, Merrivale a dairy farm, near tournament, beating Gauteng 3-2 in the fi-
Oldenburg, in Ger- nals, although the team was 0-2 down at half-
Repairs to all Gearboxes & Diffs
many, and also time.
Wide range of reconditioned units available played the sport Having earlier in the day during the round
Clutch overhauls there and on a lake robin stage beaten the same side 4-1, they
Authorised CWA and RMI dealers in London. He cur- were not about to give up, and so staged a
All workmanship guaranteed rently lives and magnificent recovery to produce three goals
Full workshop facilities works on a dairy and win.
farm overlooking A need for sponsorship
Left: Terence, Peter and Midmar. As to the future, in a few months’ time
Allen in the Midlands According to the Natal A will be travelling to Johannesburg
workshop, with a BMW
Tel. 082-413 5003 • 033-266 6535 rules of the game, for a tournament, and will take part in an-
automatic gearbox and an
Isuzu manual gearbox. each half lasts 10 other in January before the team to travel to
Behind them is a diff stand minutes, with just a Canada is chosen.
where they had been working two minute break in At this stage he needs a new paddle, val-
on a 4x4 Hi-lux diff.
between. ued at R1 900, canoe at R2 600 and spon-
There are five sorship to go overseas (about R25 000 to
Durban Branch: 501 Umgeni Road players and three R30 000).
Established 1993 substitutes in each Let’s help our local achievers in sport!
Tel: 031-312 0838 team.
Fax: 031-312 6629 Needing to turn