WARD 72 NEWS
15 August 2018
Call Centre Operaters Needed
The DA will be running several call centres based in and around our suburbs. The one for Ward 72 will be anounced shortly. If you are a DA supporter and would like to volunteer for a morning or day (preferably over a few weeks) then please contact Lionel Greenberg 084 247 7000.
The call centre hours will be from Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-1pm. There will be other call centres, so if you live outside of my area I'll put you in touch with the call centres in your area. Training will be provided.
If you would like to earn a bit of cash for a longer term commitment, then you can get paid R100/day, but will need to commit to regular sessions and sign a contract. This does not include food or transport though.
• Pikitup. The City of Joburg spends about half a billion rand every year in efforts to keep the City of Johannesburg’s streets and the environment clean and fit for human habitation. Pikitup collects 4 500 tonnes of illegally dumped waste a week. A staggering R60 million is spent annually on efforts to deal with illegal dumping, an unseemly practice described by officials as one of the most prevalent problems South Africa faces in terms of waste management.
Imagine the opportunities how better the R60 million could be used for for example build 24 000 houses for the needy, pay university fees for 12 900 engineering, mathematics and science students or purchase 1 800 new ambulances or police vehicles.
Illegal dumping is a serious criminal offence and its consequences affect everyone. The dumping of waste can in some instances contain hazardous substances and chemicals that could cause damage to the soil, the air, and the surrounding
groundwater. This can lead to serious injury or death of people and animals. Pikitup is working closely with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to bring culprits to book. The JMPD is responsible for enforcing the City’s by-laws by issuing fines to those caught dumping illegally
Pikitup is working closely with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to bring culprits to book. The JMPD is responsible for enforcing the City’s by-laws by issuing fines to those caught dumping illegally. Lets work together for a cleaner city.
To report illegal dumping:
- Metro police city by-law enforcement
082 467 9434. - Joburg Connect
0860 562 874 / 011 375 5555
(office hours) or 011 375 5911 (after hours) - Pikitup
11 712 5200 or info@ pikitup.co.za.
• Valuation Objections. Did you objected to your new Joburg property valuation? Don’t expect to hear anything this year. The City's valuers are still processing the objections and you will be notified via post or email with the outcome. In total‚ 50‚595 objections were lodged. “A total of 27‚027 objections were received at various stations and 23‚568 objections were received via the online system. All manual objections received were scanned and uploaded‚ together will all the other objections‚ onto the valuation system‚” said Maphologela.
Johannesburg property owners who objected to their property valuations should continue to pay their old rates until the objection process has been finalised.
Once valuation objections have been finalised, accounts will be reconciled. Residents who have been paying based on a low valuation will be liable for any shortfall, while those who have been paying based on a valuation higher than their final figure will be credited.
Read More - https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-04-05-poor-joburgers-may-get-extra-rebate-amid-row-over-high-property-valuations/
The City's valuers are still processing the objections and you will be notified via post or email with the outcome. The estimated date that they will be finished is February 2019. There is no way to track the progress of your application. But you can see your objections and their status by logging the VALUATIONS WEBSITE
Late Valuation Objections: If you missed the 6 April deadline for lodging a valuation objection, you can still apply for a review. It will only be dealt with next year once the valuation team has finished processing the current 50000 objections. You will have to pay your rates based on the new valuation until your review has been processed (unfortunately, there will be no refunds).
Click here for more info .
• Applying for pensioner rebate - The City is sensitive to the needs of its senior citizens. Registered property owners who are pensioners may apply for a reduction of rates, subject to certain criteria. Pensioner's rebate application forms are available from any municipal Customer Service Centre.
The process of applying for a rebate varies from category to category so it is important to check out each section carefully and follow the steps outlined. Some rebates are awarded automatically while you will have to apply for others.
Read More - https://www.joburg.org.za/services_/Pages/City%20Services/Rebates/Pensioner-rebates.aspx
• Pikitup Bin Replacement. Pikitup have been out of stock of 240 litre bins for several months. But new stock is arriving imminently and so it is a good chance to replace your damaged or stolen bin. There is a large backlog of bins that need to be reduced though. Below is how to get a new bin.
But before you start the process of getting a new bin, how about trying to fix the wheels, the lid or even get a new bin body? Waste Worx has bin spares such as wheels, lids, axles, lid hinge-pins, etc. Click here to access their website.
In 2017, the City has adopted a new bin policy that is a little bit confusing. I have broken it down for you to make it easier to understand. There are four categories of bin replacements:
1) If you have no bin at your house - ie it is a new house or you have purchased one and there was no bin. You apply to Pikitup and the bin is free.
2) If you want a second or more bins, you contact Pikitup and pay R452.18 (R393.20 plus VAT) per bin. This amount will be debited to your account. Note that Pikitup are discouraging residents from getting extra bins and you may not be given an extra bin as the priority will be to service those without a bin first. You should be recycling and using the free separation at source schemes currently operating in the Ward.
3) If your bin has been stolen or gone missing. You can get ONE free bin replacement every 8 years starting from 1 July 2017. After that you pay R 452.18 per bin.
4) If your bin is broken or damaged, then you will get a free bin, proving that you return the old bin.
The Process to Obtain a Bin
In each of the above options, you need to call the COJ call centre on 011-3755555 and obtain a reference number. You will need your account number when you do this. If it has been stolen, then you should first visit your nearest police station and report it. You will need to provide the case number when calling the COJ call centre. In theory, Pikitup will then alert the depot that services your suburb and deliver a bin within a week.
In practice your Ward Cllr requires the following information :
- Full name
- Cell
- Address
- Ref #
- Also attach a copy of the receipt if you have paid for a bin.
Arrangements can then made to contact the relevant depot to arrange it to be delivery to the residents home.