ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TRADITIONAL LEADERS RECEIVE UPDATE ON WARD DEMARCATION PROCESS
EThekwini Municipality and the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) held a final consultation with traditional leaders at the Pinetown Civic Centre on 21 May 2026 to update them on the progress of the ward delimitation process.
MDB KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Coordinator Mthobisi Manzini noted that while the ward demarcation process took longer than in any other municipalities in the country, the final ward determinations within eThekwini have now been completed and formally handed over to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to begin its processes.
He said the number of wards in eThekwini Municipality will increase from 111 to 112, with the additional ward located in the northern region of the City. Furthermore, a portion of Ward 5, which is the Mophela area, has been incorporated into uMkhambathini Municipality.
Additionally, a portion of Ward 4 in the Makwatas area has been incorporated into Ward 103, which is under eThekwini Municipality. These changes will take effect after the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Executive Director in the Office of the City Manager, Sipho Cele, said the cooperation of residents was critical for a seamless execution of the process.
He stated that public consultations were conducted across six regions to gather the views and proposals of residents.
He added that further consultations with uMkhambathini Municipality will be held in preparation for the transfer of assets, human resources, and budgets.
“We understand that there is a cemetery that has been under eThekwini Municipality and will now be inherited by uMkhambathini Municipality.
A proper handover process will be initiated to avoid hindrance of service delivery. The demarcation process is intended for better municipal management and improvement of service delivery,” said Cele.
Ahead of the voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June, IEC Regional Assistant Manager for the eThekwini District, Sibongiseni Nkomo, urged residents to update their details on the voters' roll.
He reminded residents to bring either their green barcoded identity documents or smart ID cards.
“Residents will only vote in a ward where they are registered to vote. We will conduct targeted communication, and registration is currently underway in wards that were affected by the ward delimitation process,” said Nkomo.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
