The George Tourism office telephone lines are temporarily out of order. The matter is receiving attention as technicians are investigating the cause of the downlines.
Issued by George Municipality
19 May 2023
Please note that Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) office is situated on Hibernia Street closed unexpectedly immediately, until further notice. This follows a fumigation for pest control that was conducted at the building yesterday afternoon.
Even though all the necessary safety measures and cleaning after the fumigation were done as per the service provider’s instructions, staff members complained about allergic reactions and other symptoms suspected to have been caused by the fumes that remained in the building.
As a safety precaution, all officials have been released for medical checks and the building was temporarily closed, only allowing testing of vehicles, as this area is not affected.
The Municipality will keep you informed of any developments.
Issued by George Municipality, 17 May 2023
The month of May is International Internal Audit Awareness Month and the Internal audit professionals play an important role in raising awareness and elevating the Internal Audit (IA) profession. Therefore, it is an ideal opportunity to showcase The George Municipality’s Internal Audit Team and the value-adding Role of Internal Audit.
The Municipality’s internal audit has taken up the challenge to launch an awareness campaign as part of the celebrations. According to JP Rossouw, the George Municipality’s Chief Audit Executive, the Municipal IA has been engaging its stakeholders and has also collaborated with the Municipal communication and media office to create content that will be published on the municipal social media platforms throughout the month of May in celebration of International Internal Audit Awareness month.
“The George IA Team is truly proud to be associated with such an amazing profession. Being able to Add Value and improve processes of the municipality should be one of the key drivers for young South Africans to choose a career in internal audit,” Rossouw said.
Below, Rossouw explains the purpose of Internal Audit, motivates why young South Africans choose a career in internal auditing, simplifies internal audit for someone who has never studied internal audit and introduces George Municipality’s Internal Audit team.
Purpose of Internal Audit
The George Municipality’s internal audit activity aims to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the municipality’s operations. The internal audit activity helps the municipality accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes.
To elaborate on the functions and importance of Internal Auditing, we have used this opportunity to showcase our Internal Audit Team and the Role of Internal Audit within the municipality with some frequently asked questions.
Why should young South Africans choose a career in internal auditing?
Internal Auditing is a very exciting career. One where you can change any organisation’s direction by improving efficiency and effectiveness based on internal audit observations and recommendations. You get exposed to all aspects and levels of a business, making Internal Audit a perfect development environment for other strategic management positions.
Internal Auditors assist management to address the business’s high strategic risks and assist the organisation to achieve their goals and objectives. We act as Change Catalysts to initiate and manage strategic and procedural change by providing assurance, advice, and insight at Board and Organisational levels.
How would you define internal audit to someone who has never studied internal audit?
All organizations have goals and objectives. However, there are risks/ events that will hamper the organisation in achieving those goals and objectives. That is why the organisation institute various controls in place to govern and manage those risks and processes. Now Internal Audit assists organizations to achieve those goals and objectives.
We do this by providing a comprehensive service (what we call assurance and advisory services) to add value and improve the organization’s processes. This is done by assessing and reviewing the organization’s risks, controls, and governance processes. We are independent and impartial in providing these services. (Independence is maintained by a dual reporting line: administratively to the Accounting Officer and functionally to the Council / Audit Committee).
The Internal Audit Activity strives to provide value-added service to an organisation by providing workable and sustainable solutions.
George Municipal Internal Audit Team:
Ends.
CAPTION: From Left: Zimasa Bulo (Senior Internal Auditor), Natacha Martins (Intern: Internal Audit), La- Chuney Jansen (Intern: Internal Audit), Sinovuyo Robile (Intern: Internal Audit), Jean-Pierre Rossouw (Chief Audit Executive), Heybré Ellis (Manager: Internal Audit), Xolisile Sotushe (Intern: Internal Audit) and Kloper Mabunda (Internal Auditor).
The Western Cape Government (WCG) on Friday, 12 May 2023 held a Strategic Integrated Municipal Engagement (SIME) with the George Municipality in the George Council Chambers.
This follows the completion of the assessment of the George Municipality’s tabled budget, Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Spatial Development Framework (SDF) and related documents. The province’s assessment of the municipality was discussed during the SIME engagement as well as a strategic discussion on key developmental priorities over the medium term.
During the discussions with the Provincial representation, the George Municipality was represented by the Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, the Portfolio Councillor for Financial & Strategic Services Dirk Wessels, George Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz, Chief Financial Officer Riaan du Plessis and senior management from various Municipal Departments.
Ends.
Municipal Plant of the Month – Bugweed, Luisboom: Solanum mauritianum.
Bugweed is a Category 1b invasive species which must be removed and destroyed. Any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited.
Impacts: Robust, long-lived (up to 30 years) and fast-growing – easily reaching a height of 3-5m, shading out other vegetation. It can flower year-round but fruiting occurs in late spring to early summer. It is tolerant of many soil types and quickly becomes established around plantations, forest margins, scrub and open land. All parts of the plant are poisonous – in particular the unripe green berries. Birds, which are unaffected by the poison, act as seed dispersers.
Identification: A large untidy straggly shrub with distinctive large dull grey-green leaves that are velvety above with white felty undersides. The leaves have an off-putting scent. Clusters of purple flowers with yellow centres occur throughout the year. The fruits are borne in compact terminal clusters of berries of 10 mm across, turning yellow when ripe.
Control: Felling and treating the stump with the herbicide Timbrel or Kaput easily kills bugweed. Alternatively, the stump can be frilled and the frill treated with the same herbicide. Any clearing must have a follow-up program to address the inevitable seed germination.
References: www.invasives.org.za : www.sanbi.org : www.gpwonline.co.za/ Gazettes/Gazettes/37886_1-8_EnvAffairs.pdf – p.29 : www.george .org.za/page/environmental_affairs (search under COMMUNITY SERVICES and NEWS tabs.
#alieninvasiveplantsawareness
Issued by George Municipality, 16 May 2023 @08:30
There is an accident on Nelson Mandela Boulevard between a Taxi and a Bakkie carrying passengers. Both lanes towards the Thembalethu direction are temporarily closed. The Municipal Traffic officers are at the scene and are diverting traffic.
GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL – Water Restrictions remain in place
Issued 15 May 2023, George Municipality
Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height 87.67
Rainfall for previous 7 days: 54.80 mm (Measured up to and including 14 May 2023)
The co-operation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.
Follow this link for the detailed Stricter Water Restrictions in English/Afrikaans and IsiXhosa.
https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/general/
Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477.
Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.
UPDATE: N2 CLOSURE – ALL LANES REOPENED – 13 MAY 2023 – 12:30
N2, direction George and Cape Town has been reopened to traffic. Both lanes (direction Cape Town and George) have been reopened to traffic. The N2 was closed following a bus collision earlier today, 13 May at 01:30. Issued on behalf of Garden Route District Municipality
UPDATE: N2 CLOSURE – 13 MAY 2023 – 11:00
N2, direction George has been reopened to traffic. N2 direction Cape Town (between Langeberg Mall and Dana Bay off ramps) remains closed following a bus collision earlier today, 13 May at 01:30. The closure is due to the removal of the wrecks and an investigation at the scene.
Traffic direction Cape Town travelling in the N2 will be redirected onto Louis Fourie Road by traffic officials at the scene.
Traffic on Louis Fourie Road from the Langeberg Mall is particularly slow. Motorists are requested to be patient and to drive with caution.
The reopening of the N2 (direction Cape Town, section Langeberg Mall offramp to Dana Bay offramp) cannot be confirmed at this stage but is expected later today.
It has been confirmed that patients have been treated at hospital in Mossel Bay and George. Passengers that were not injured and unharmed have been seen to and transported by the bus companies involved.
Issued on behalf of the Garden Route DM
UPDATE: N2 CLOSURE – 13 MAY 2023 – 08:50
ALL LANES of the N2, between the Langeberg Mall and Dana Bay offramps – in BOTH directions are now closed. This follows a bus collision earlier today, 13 May at 01:30. The closure is due to the removal of the wrecks and the investigation into the cause of the collision.
ALL TRAFFIC (direction Cape Town and George) travelling in the N2 will be redirected onto Louis Fourie Road by traffic officials at the scene. Motorists are requested to be patient. Reopening of the N2 (section Langeberg Mall offramp to Dana Bay offramp) to be expected later this morning.
Issued by Garden Route District Municipality.
Unplanned water outage:
A pipe burst occurred in Blommekloof Street, Denneoord. A
Water truck will be roaming the Street. Estimated time of repairs is 4 to 5 hours.
The N2 is closed following a bus collision earlier today, 13 May at 01:30.
Both lanes direction George to Mossel Bay (section Langeberg Mall offramp to Dana Bay offramp) are CLOSED. Both lanes of the N2 direction Mossel Bay to George are open.
Motorists travelling from George direction Cape Town will be redirected onto Louis Fourie Road. Motorists are requested to be patient. An investigation team from Cape Town is expected at the scene. The investigation into the cause of the collision is expected to start at the scene after 07:00. Reopening of the N2 (section Langeberg Mall offramp to Dana Bay offramp) to be expected later this morning.
The George Municipality is pleased to announce the appointment of Dawie Adonis as the Director of Community Services with effect from 1st May 2023. The Community Services Directorectorate incorporates two components; the environmental services which comprise solid waste, environmental health, refuse removal, street cleaning & ablution, parks & recreation, and sports. The second component of the directorate’s responsibility is community Safety which includes traffic services, law enforcement, fire, rescue and disaster management, anti-land invasion and customer care.
The Malmesbury-born Adonis comes with 39 years of local government experience from various municipalities across the Western Cape and occupied a range of different positions. His first job in local government dates to 1984 as a Housing Clerk for the Malmesbury Municipality, now known as Swartland Municipality and thereafter joined the Saldanha Municipality as Housing Officer in 1988.
In his pursuit of growth and better work opportunities, Adonis joined the management echelon of the local government in 1994 as Town Secretary, of the then-disestablished Caledon Municipality. In 2001, he was appointed Director of Corporate Services at Theewaterskloof Municipality (TWK). He played a pivotal role in the historic amalgamation of seven disestablished municipalities into one and developed an organisational structure without any external support.
Adonis’ vast experience in local government includes serving in different municipalities such as Langeberg Municipality (Ashton, Robertson), Knysna Municipality, Cederberg Municipality and Overberg District Municipality holding various positions from manager of human settlements, Manager of Parks and Recreation, Director of Community Services to Municipal Manager between 2001 to 2023. Adonis’ experience is backed by an Honours Degree in Public Administration and a Diploma in Public Accountability.
“Local government is my passion. I spent my entire working life serving communities. As a senior manager at George Municipality, I will strive to take the Directorate of Community Services to a level of excellence and responsiveness when executing our service delivery mandate,” said Adonis.
Adonis is an ardent motorsport enthusiast and keen golfer in his leisure time. He is married and has two children.
Ends.
REMINDER PUBLIC NOTICE 2: ELECTRICAL TARIFSS (AMP LIMIT) – Phase 3 of Power Limit Adjustment Project to roll out 1 July 2023
PHASE THREE ROLLOUT – POWER LIMIT ADJUSTMENT PROJECT will take place as follows:
From the 1st of July 2023, the municipality will bill consumers based on Installed Capacity of their prepaid meters
• If you have an installed capacity of 60A prepaid meter on your premise you will be billed on 60A in line with the new tariff structure, unless.
o Your meter has been limited through the field team; or
o You have applied for capacity selection via elec.applications@george.gov.za and received a reference.
• All consumers who have applied to the municipality, will be billed based on the selected capacity on the application form.
• All consumers who have already made their selections and field teams have implemented the changes will not be impacted by these changes.
Please apply as soon as possible to avoid paying for installed capacity while requiring a lower capacity. By the end of June 2023, consumers would have had sufficient time to apply for their required capacity. “
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
George Municipality embarked on process to phase in a new electricity tariff structure last year on 1 July last year and which is in line with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved cost of supply study for George as well as the municipal Electricity Pricing Policy. The municipality has been effecting these changes in a variety of ways to limit the impact on our consumers as far as possible.
PHASE ONE ROLLOUT – POWER LIMIT ADJUSTMENT PROJECT – has included to date:
• Consumers were provided with an opportunity to select their Amperage capacity, in line with their household power requirement.
• Consumers who had not yet selected for their capacity (AMPS) by 1 July 2022, were then placed on a capacity selected by the municipality. The capacity selection was based on the consumers historic consumption (12 months prior). The option remains open for these consumers to make a change and select their own capacity.
• George Municipality has sent out field teams to visit residents at home and implement the changes, where for example a resident has applied and chosen a capacity for their house; and/or where no selection was made, and the municipality then applied a capacity based on historic consumption.
• Consumers were also given the opportunity to make a capacity selection while a field team was at their home – so doing to minimise the impact of a Consumer making a choice which then does not work for them and having to get the field team in back to make a change again.
• Communication through various platforms has continued to request consumers to make their selection timeously.
Thousands of Consumers have had the Capacity (AMPS) addressed through either their own selection OR by the municipal capacity selection.
George Municipality has already successfully implemented power limit adjustments on thousands of its prepaid meter base, through the work done by field staff following the applications received from consumers for a specific capacity or by the municipality making the decision for Phase 1 power limit based on historical consumption. The field teams will continue to go out weekly to do Amperage limit roll-out and site inspections on prepaid meters.
What about Consumers who have not yet made a selection?
The consumers who have not made a selection yet or who are not happy with the selection made by the municipality based on historical consumption, are encouraged to do so speedily on the details shared below. The first and most preferred option is always for our consumers to select the capacity they require. Consumers are allowed one opportunity per financial year to make such a change in capacity.
PHASE TWO ROLLOUT – POWER LIMIT ADJUSTMENT PROJECT has taken place as communicated as follows:
From the 1st of April 2023, the municipality applied the following Capacity Selection based on the historic consumption:
• If a consumer had a 12-month average historic monthly consumption of above 400 units (kWh) and below 600 units (kWh), the consumer was placed on a 30A.
• If a consumer had a 12-month average historic monthly consumption of above 600 units (kWh) the consumer was placed on a 40A.
• Indigents consumers were not impacted by this phase, as all indigent consumers are dealt with in line with the Indigent Policy.
• All consumers who have already made their selections were not impacted.
PHASE THREE ROLLOUT – POWER LIMIT ADJUSTMENT PROJECT will take place as follows:
From the 1st of July 2023, the municipality will bill consumers based on Installed Capacity
• If you have an installed capacity of 60A prepaid meter in your premise you will be billed on 60A in line with the new tariff structure, unless.
o Your meter has been limited through the field team; or
o You have applied for capacity selection via elec.applications@george.gov.za and received a reference.
• All consumers who have applied to the municipality, will be billed based on the selected capacity on the application form.
• All consumers who have already made their selections and field teams have implemented the changes will not be impacted by these changes.
Please apply as soon as possible to avoid paying for installed capacity while requiring a lower capacity. By the end of June 2023, consumers would have had sufficient time to apply for their required capacity.
Key Reminders on the applicable Electrical Tariffs are:
• Consumers are only allowed one capacity change per financial year; any additional changes would be subject to tariff for changes.
• Small Domestic and Commercial tariffs (that is Prepaid and conventionally metered Consumers) are linked to the capacity limit of supply they choose.
• Consumers who are willing to manage their loads within a capacity limited to 20 Amps Single Phase are offered a subsidised tariff with no fixed charges.
• All Consumers who require more than 20 Amp capacity are charged a phased-in Cost Reflective Tariff with:
• a Fixed Basic Charge,
• a Capacity Charge depending on the capacity limit of the supply and
• a lower Energy Charge.
• Bulk consumers have all been moved to a Time of Use tariff.
• Small Scale Energy Generators (SSEG) consumers are subject to fixed and Time of Use energy charges. Further information on understanding the potential electricity cost and management of loads, and how to decide about the capacity you can choose will be provided.
Bear this in mind when making your choice:
• Capacity selection by the municipality based on the consumers’ historic consumption was for a financial break-even to reduce the impact on the customer and not necessarily to confirm the capacity required.
• The Municipality cannot determine the optimal capacity required with the available meter data; therefore, consumers must determine what their energy and capacity requirements are.
• The municipality has noted that customers are selecting the capacity as low as possible to reduce cost without understanding the implications. This is evident by the number of upgrades required once a selection is implemented. Please consider your selection carefully.
Do you want to discuss your energy consumption and find out what the best Capacity will be for your needs, phone 044 801 9243, have your Municipal Account Number and Prepaid Meter Number handy OR email your query to elec.applications@george.gov.za
Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00 this afternoon until further notice.
George will be affected as follows:
Sunday 07/05/2023
20:00 – 22:30
Monday 08/05/2023
04:00 – 08:30 **
12:00 – 16:30 **
20:00 – 22:30
Tuesday 09/05/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 14:30 **
18:00 – 22:30 **
Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Sunday 07/05/2023
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Monday 08/05/2023
07:00 – 11:30 **
15:00 – 19:30 **
23:00 – 01:30
Tuesday 09/05/2023
05:00 – 07:30
13:00 – 17:30 **
21:00 – 01:30 **
BROWN-COLOURED WATER IS INVESTIGATED IN UNIONDALE
Issued by George Municipality, 6 May 2023 @21:30
Some areas of Uniondale might be affected by brown-coloured water. Water teams on the ground are working on the problem and will be resolved soon. The public is requested to please remain patient. Water is still safe for usage.
BRUIN-KLEUR WATER WORD ONDERSOEK IN UNIONDALE
Uitgereik deur George Munisipaliteit, 6 Mei 2023 @21:30
Sommige areas van Uniondale kan deur bruinkleurige water geraak word. Waterspanne op die grond werk aan die probleem en sal binnekort opgelos word. Die publiek word versoek om asseblief geduldig te bly. Water is steeds veilig vir gebruik.
UPDATE: PIPE REPAIRED NEAR EBB & FLOW WATER TREATMENT WORKS
Issued by George Municipality, 6 May 2023 @21:20
The pipe burst has been repaired and the water team is busy flushing the water. Affected Streets were Anchorage Lane, 10th Avenue, Southside and nearby streets. Water trucks that were dispatched on Southside Street and at Spar Supermark in Wilderness have been withdrawn.
UPDATE: UNEXPECTED WATER OUTAGE NEAR EBB & FLOW WATER TREATMENT WORKS
Issued by George Municipality, 6 May 2023 @18:25
Earlier this evening we ported a water pipe failure near Ebb & Flow water treatment works in Wilderness. Affected areas are Anchorage Lane, 10th Ave and Southside St. Nearby streets may also be affected. Standby teams are busy with repairs. The estimated time of repair is 6 hours. One (1) water truck is stationed on Southside Street and the other one is parked at Spar Supermark in Wilderness.
UNEXPECTED WATER OUTAGE NEAR EBB & FLOW WATER TREATMENT WORKS
Issued by George Municipality, 6 May 2023 @17:10
Water Pipe Failure near Ebb & Flow water treatment works in Wilderness. Areas affected known at this stage include Anchorage Lane, 10th Ave and Southside St. Nearby streets may also be affected. Standby teams are on their way to assess the situation. Update to follow as more information is gathered.
<<<Saturday, 6 May 2023: Due to a shortage of generating capacity, Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented until further notice. This is necessary following the failure of five generating units; three from Medupi Power Station and two from Duvha Power Station. Three of these units have since been returned to service today. However, Eskom has had to rely extensively on emergency reserves which now need to be replenished before Monday. Eskom will publish a further update as soon as any significant changes occur. (Eskom)>>>>
George will be affected as follows:
Saturday 06/05/2023
20:00 – 22:30
Sunday 07/05/2023
04:00 – 08:30 **
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30
Monday 08/05/2023
04:00 – 06:30
12:00 – 16:30 **
20:00 – 22:30
Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Saturday 06/05/2023
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Sunday 07/05/2023
07:00 – 11:30 **
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Monday 08/05/2023
07:00 – 09:30
15:00 – 19:30 **
23:00 – 01:30
06 May 2023: Due to the further breakdown of a generating unit in the early hours of the morning, Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented at 05:00 this morning until 16:00 (previously Stage 3 loadshedding communicated).
George will be affected as follows:
Saturday 06/05/2023
04:00 – 06:30
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30
Sunday 07/05/2023
04:00 – 06:30
20:00 – 22:30
Monday 08/05/2023
04:00 – 06:30
20:00 – 22:30
Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Saturday 06/05/2023
07:00 – 09:30
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Sunday 07/05/2023
07:00 – 09:30
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Monday 08/05/2023
07:00 – 09:30
15:00 – 19:30 **
23:00 – 01:30
The community of Haarlem and Uniondale is hereby invited by the Service Delivery Personnel of the George Municipality, to attend an open day that will take place as follows:
Uniondale:
Date: Tuesday, 9th of May 2023
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: Uniondale Town Hall
Haarlem:
Date: Thursday, 11th of May 2023
Time: 11:00 am
Venue: Haarlem Community Hall
All the different service sections within Service Delivery will be available to attend to any queries, such as Town Planning and Building Control, which will focus on Building Plans, Sub-division, Rezoning and Finance regarding subsidies and accounts.
Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact the following number on (044) 752 1024.
***
OPENBARE KENNISGEWING: GEMEENSKAPSUITREIK PROGRAM BY UNIONDALE EN HAARLEM
Die gemeenskap van Haarlem en Uniondale word uitgenooi om ‘n ope dag by te woon wat geskiet gedurende Mei 2023.
Uniondale:
Datum: Dinsdag, 9de of Mei 2023
Tyd: 10:00 vm
Plek: Uniondale Stadsaal
Haarlem:
Datum: Donderdag, 11de of Mei 2023
Tyd: 11:00 vm
Plek: Haarlem Gemeenskapsaal
Verskeie diensafdelings soos byvoorbeeld Stadsbeplanning en Boubeheer sal bywoon en fokus op Bouplanne, Onderverdelings, Hersonerings, en Finansies sal beskikbaar wees vir enige navrae.
Vir navrae kontak asseblief die volgende nommer op (044) 752 1024.
Loadshedding will be reduced to Stages 3 and 4 over the weekend.
George will be affected as follows:
Friday 05/05/2023
20:00 – 00:30 **
Saturday 06/05/2023
04:00 – 05:00
12:00 – 14:30
20:00 – 22:30
Sunday 07/05/2023
04:00 – 06:30
20:00 – 22:30
Monday 08/05/2023
04:00 – 06:30
20:00 – 22:30
Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Friday 05/05/2023
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30 **
Saturday 06/05/2023
01:00 – 03:00 **
15:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Sunday 07/05/2023
07:00 – 09:30
16:00 – 17:30
23:00 – 01:30
Monday 08/05/2023
07:00 – 09:30
15:00 – 19:30 **
23:00 – 01:30