The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s KwaMagxaki customer care centre has officially reopened its doors following a four-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During its non-operational period, the centre suffered significant damage from vandalism, which affected the building structure, including electrical cables and other vital equipment.
This forced ratepayers from KwaMagxaki, KwaDwesi, Veeplas, Zwide, Joe Slovo and KwaDwesi Extension to travel to other areas for assistance with their accounts, assistance with applications and general inquiries.
Speaking at the official re-opening of the centre on Monday, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, said the current administration is committed to ensuring efficient service delivery.
"We are happy that the people will no longer have to pay for transport to go pay their rates or inquire about our services, especially the indigent and the elderly. We have brought the service to their doorstep,” Lobishe said.
Lobishe said the metro is making it easier for residents to receive services and pay for them.
"For us to balance the service we offer and the payment of such service, it is critical that the centres... are where people are. We call upon our people to work with us in protecting this centre against vandals.”
Services to be offered at the centre include 'assistance to the poor (ATTP)' applications, debt repayment arrangements, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) registration, water rebate applications, Estate Late Project (free property transfer for surviving ATTP beneficiaries) and opening of service accounts.
The centre will also assist with property valuation certificates, copies of municipal statements, and account balance enquiries.
Mayoral Committee Member for Budget and Treasury, Khanya Ngqisha, said the directorate is working towards providing a hassle-free service that is cost effective for ratepayers.
"We are excited, as this will serve our residents efficiently. We encourage our people to come and receive the services that have been tailor-made for them,” Ngqisha said.
One of the residents from KwaMaxgaki, Zoleka Jonas, said she was pleased that the centre has been opened.
"We will no longer spend money to go to town for services. It will just be a walk-in, and your enquiries will be solved. We are grateful to our ward councillor and the mayor for this service,” said Jonas. – SAnews.gov.za
