Community fights proposed ward boundary change in Chatsworth

RESIDENTS of Mobeni Heights and Havenside are uniting against a proposed ward boundary change that threatens their community ties and access to essential services ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE).

This move would see the geographic area change from ward 69 in Chatsworth to ward 74 in Lamontville.

The respective civic associations are now on a vigorous “fight back” campaign to object to the proposed ward boundary change.

Community leaders claimed that they had not been notified of the proposed move, which was brought by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), ahead of the 2026 LGE.

Denzil Davan, chairperson of the Mobeni Heights Civic Association said they were leading the fight against the proposed changes which “threatened to split a tightly knit community, severing decades of civic and social cohesion”.

“I stumbled upon the proposal while I was doing an internet search for a map of ward 69. We did not see any advert or media reports, and we were not notified of the public consultations.

“I immediately informed the civic committees and we started reviewing and objecting to the demarcation. The proposal seeks to move Mobeni Heights and part of Havenside into neighbouring Lamontville, splitting them from their long-standing ward.

“The plan, shrouded in minimal publicity and limited transparency, has sparked outrage among residents and ignited a powerful grassroots response.

“If implemented, it would place parts of Mobeni Heights and Havenside - areas with a rich, shared history - into a ward with little contextual or infrastructural alignment,” he said.

“The closing date for objections is June 30. The MDB’s publications have not been widely distributed, and the process remains opaque. I informed the ward 69 councillor, Ganas Govender, who advised us that the municipality had not officially notified councillors of the proposal. He was informed of the proposal at a council meeting a few weeks ago,” added Davan.

He said they had called a public meeting to inform residents of the proposal, and also obtained legal advice about the proposed move.

“Ultimately, we would not get municipal services like water, electricity, health, policing or fire department services from the Chatsworth area. We would have to access services from Umlazi.  

“All billing queries would have to be done at the Lamontville Sizakala Centre and no longer at the Chatsworth office. Most of these venues are not on our bus or taxi routes. If the hospitals decide to follow the ward framework, our residents would have to go to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital and not RK Khan. The Mobeni Heights Cemetery and Crematorium would also be in Ward 74, Lamontville, if approved.

“With regards to policing, we would no longer be serviced by Bayview SAPS, but Lamontville SAPS. Wards determine everything, from social services to housing,” he said.

Davan said they were now in the process of mass mobilisation to submit objections.

“Our 'fight back' campaign includes a door-to-door, inbox-to-inbox effort to awaken community voices. Volunteers have been distributing objection forms, hosting information sessions, and circulating legal guidance to every corner of the affected areas.

“Residents are being urged to submit personal objections using the official Form MDB 3, available through the civic association. These objections must be emailed to [email protected], with copies to [email protected].

“Mass petitions would not be accepted, a point the association has worked hard to communicate in the face of misinformation spreading through unofficial WhatsApp groups.

“As the deadline looms, the campaign is in overdrive. Volunteers are walking streets, hosting pop-up booths, and educating residents. The hope is that individual voices, each one legally protected and independently considered, will together become too loud to ignore.

Rocky Naidoo, chairperson of the Havenside Civic Association, said most residents became aware of the proposal from social media messages.

“Should this proposal go forward, it would cause a disruption in local development and reduce accountability between residents and elected officials.

“It would divide a strong and united community and weaken our voices and the role we have played in local governance. We stand together with the Mobeni Heights Civic Association and would do what it takes to stop the proposed changes from being passed."

Ganas Govender, the ward 69 councillor, said he supported the civic and residents' objections.

“I have had a look at the proposed amendment which would drastically change ward based municipal services, voting services and more.”

Barileng Dichabe, spokesperson for the Municipal Demarcation Board, said ward boundaries had changed due to an increase in the number of voters, a change in the number of wards from the previous elections and addressing dysfunctional wards.

“The objection period will be open during August 2025, immediately after the publication of the wards in the provincial gazette.

“Public consultations are being held in different regions between June 23 and 26. Ward 69 will only be finalised once all proposals are received. The current draft ward 69 may still have further changes as per proposals received,” she added.

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