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Press Release Archive

George Municipal Court committed to service despite stringent Covid regulations

George Municipal Court committed to service despite stringent Covid regulations

Although the Covid-19 pandemic hit all services hard especially during the stringent lockdown period in 2020,  the George Municipal Court has dealt with 45122  municipal traffic cases opening in 2017, excluding cases from the Provincial Traffic Department.

 

Adv Johann Van Schalkwyk, Head: Legal and Compliance Services, George Municipality said the court is served by a magistrate Amanda Joubert,  stenographer Michael Krige, prosecutor Sikolele Magxwalisa, an interpreter Adrian Kraai, clerk of the court Angelique Felix and an administrative clerk Andiswa Dakada.  The main purpose of the Court is to prosecute and adjudicate traffic related offences received from both the Provincial and Municipal Traffic Departments, which were committed within the jurisdiction of the Municipality and to ensure compliance with the National Building Regulations and Municipal By-Laws.

The Municipal Court is achieving its objective of providing a better service to the community and ensuring compliance with legislation and by-laws. Van Schalkwyk said the court is functioning well and fulfils its role to deliver a service to the residents of George.

The public is reminded that the municipal court located at George Civic Centre, currently operates under strict Covid-19 protocols. The entrance to the building is at the front of the George Civic Centre (facing York Street). Members of the public can make appointments to see the Prosecutor of the court, Sikolele Magxwalisa. The public can send the prosecutor an email on smagxwalisa@george.gov.za or phone the clerk of the court on 044 801 9400.

Caption: MunCourt3 – A posed scene of the Courtroom when in session.

George Libraries celebrate World Read-Aloud Day

 George Libraries celebrate World Read-Aloud Day.

George Library joined the rest of the world by being part of World Read-aloud day on Wednesday,  February 3rd, in order to develop and foster a love for reading and books.

Rachel Williams, Manager: George Libraries said they linked up with Nali’Bal i(which means “here’s the story”) to escape into a world of fun and laughter by means of a story written by Sihle Nontshokweni and  illustrated by Magriet Brink and Leo Daly: Fly, everyone, fly! Janine Pierre Carolus, librarian at George Library, is the library story-reader this  year. Librarians Garelene Muller from George library, Angelina Figeland from Waboomskraal library and Jeanetta Rhode from Conville Library also read stories aloud to indicate the importance of literature and reading. All the video clips  can be found on the George Municipality Youtube account https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJRa8wJoapRYwh1YcPwMEQ/videos

According to Mrs Williams, this campaign advocates for access to literacy and diverse stories as the aim, is celebrated on the first Wednesday of February each year. She said World Read-Aloud Day is an inspiring programme that unlocks the potential of young ones through literacy. George Library Service took part in this event by means of a virtual programme as well as radioslots on Eden FM and Heartbeat FM. Malibongwe Luyenge and library assistant at Blanco Library, Gene Carolus , spoke about the campaign on radio and read stories aloud for the radio listeners.

Williams said we must encourage one another to become passionate about reading, writing and storytelling and root these habits into our daily lives. Staff members read to small groups of children and in some instances even had one-on-one sessions with youngsters during this annual reading campaign. In adherence to Covid-19 protocols, no events were held inside the libraries. All events took place in outside spaces.

She said the value of Reading Aloud is that It is a fun activity that allows children to escape into another world, it stimulates and enhance good listening and communication skills and it exposes children to new words and thoughts, which develop cognitive and language skills.

Williams says the value of World Read Aloud Day is the exposure of  children to different cultures and languages as the story by Nali’Bali is written in all official languages. The emphasis of the day is put on the importance of books, literature and reading .

 

Caption:

Read aloud 1: Audrenay Meiring from Pacaltsdorp Primary School reads aloud on World Read Aloud Day.

Jayden Erasmus from Waboomskraal Primary School reads aloud on World Read Aloud Day. Jayden’s recording can be found on the George Municipality’s Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eegAQu3iUJk

 

Building starts for satellite fire station in Wilderness

Construction of a satellite fire station in Wilderness, 14km outside George, has commenced this week.

George Chief Fire Officer Neels Barnard said the satellite station in Wilderness had been a long-term goal of the department to cover incidents east of the Kaaimans River Bridge more efficiently. “The station’s location near the Shell Garage circle on the N2 will allow for easy access to the major fire and rescue risks of the area – vehicle accidents including hazardous materials spills, Wilderness beach and lakes for water incidents, fuel stations, hotels, dense vegetation and agricultural land.”

The Wilderness station will also be one of the first in the Southern Cape to be a double-storey facility with a fireman’s pole.

The 440sqm station will comprise 348sqm bottom-floor space for vehicles and equipment and 92sqm above for a control room and staff quarters. It will have three spaces for specialised vehicles including a major fire appliance, 4×4 off-road firefighting vehicle and a jetski and quadbike. The facility will be manned around the clock by four firefighters.

The necessary building plans have been submitted and approved as per any other building in George municipal area, and all necessary permits were obtained for the removal of trees and other environmental impacts.

The station is expected to be ready for occupation in July 2021. “Until then, we appeal to the neighbouring communities to be patient during construction – it will be a short-term inconvenience with a long-term reward that will benefit the entire area.

“We look forward to having a base in Wilderness, which is currently being addressed from the main fire station in the George CBD. There are many advantages of having a fire station in an expanding and diverse community such as Wilderness and surrounds, including the much faster response times to road accidents and fires. Its location next to the Wilderness police station is ideal as there are several overlapping services and administration between the SAPS and municipal emergency services during and after an incident.

“The department is grateful to its Municipal Council for recognising the diverse fire and rescue needs that exist in the area and for supporting an ongoing programme to equip the Fire and Rescue department with specialised gear and facilities to continue protecting land and property,” said Mr Barnard.

Wilderness will be the municipality’s third satellite station in addition to Thembalethu and Uniondale.

Caption
From left: Protection Services portfolio councillor Cecil Noble, Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk, Chief Fire Officer Neels Barnard, contractor Andrew Burger of Golden Awards and Wilderness ward councillor Marlene Barnardt celebrated the start of the construction of the Wilderness satellite fire station with a small soil turning ceremony at the site.

George Municipality and Business Partners take hands to upgrade Netball courts in communities

George Municipality and Business Partners take hands to upgrade Netball courts in communities
George Municipality’s Sport Development section is pleased to announce that through the efforts of K1 Quarry, a business partner in George, that helps with social upliftment projects, funds were approved for the upgrading of the Pacaltsdorp and Rosemoor Sport grounds and in particular the Netball courts.
According to Granville Campher, Manager: Sport Development at George Municipality, the funds will be used to fence the netball courts. New gates and new fencing will be erected at Pacaltsdorp as well. Campher said this good news comes in time for the Netball World Cup that was awarded to South Africa for 2023. The facilities at the Sport Grounds serve most schools in the vicinity. He said the individual fencing of the different netball courts make a huge difference, since more games can be played at once without players moving into some of the other courts.
Campher said an application for funding for the upgrade of Pacaltsdorp and Rosemoor Sport Grounds netball facilities was submitted via JK Consulting for consideration by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy as part of Lezmin (2021)t/a K1 Quarry’s statutory responsibility project that forms part of the conditions of their mining license.
In line with the Integrated Development Plan of the George Municipality on sporting development, discussions were held in September 2020 with the various stakeholders, including the Portfolio Councillor for Community Services, Cllr Sean Snyman, Eden Netball federation and Ward Councillors of the different Wards directly impacted by this project. Campher said at this meeting it was decided that Pacaltsdorp and Rosemoor Sports Grounds needed upgrading. The project will commence in early 2021.
Cllr Snyman said it is fantastic to see how the private sector and the Municipality are taking hands to create sustainable projects. “I am looking forward to more projects of this kind,” Snyman remarked.
Caption: Cllr Sean Snyman (Portfolio Councillor for Community Services) second from left and Desmond Jaftha from K1 Quarry with the memorandum of understanding regarding the upgrading of the Rosemoor and Pacaltsdorp netball fields. On the far left is Granville Campher, Manager: Sport Development and Leveinia Botha, Sports Development Officer.

GO GEORGE keeping the Covid-safety message alive

GO GEORGE keeping the Covid-safety message alive

Issued on 16 Feb 2021

 

With an essential service such as the GO GEORGE bus service officially classified as a high-risk area for the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the constant refreshing of safety messages to promote awareness and compliance to regulations is critical.

“There’s always the risk that people may become complacent when a situation lingers on as is the case with the pandemic,” says James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager. “For this reason, our communications team is constantly coming up with new creative ideas and innovative forms of communication to reach as many of our passengers as possible, and with a message that they can identify with.”

Audio and visual messaging

Apart from regular newspaper and radio advertisements and social media reminders to adhere to the regulations, voice recordings are played over loudspeakers at the Transport Hub during peak times, and Covid-safety messages have been added to the digital board inside the bus. With passengers spending some time daily at the bus shelters, vinyl panels carrying the message have also been applied there, where everybody can see it. By including both audio and visual messaging, the bus service reiterates its commitment to make this important message accessible to people with different categories of special needs.

Champions “walking reminders”

The communication champions have two sets of eye-catching outfits with Covid messaging to wear when they are on duty.

“It sometimes just takes someone with a bright-yellow sash like a beauty queen to remind you to pull up your mask over your nose as well!” says Robb.

Targeting learners

With schools starting this week, communication champions are at the bus stops near schools to hand out flyers with relevant safety measures when travelling by bus. A colourful superhero named The Sanitiser will make his debut as part of the communications team, sanitising the learners’ hands in a playful manner with a toy water pistol filled with sanitising liquid. To make the message stick, small bottles of GO GEORGE-branded hand sanitiser are also handed out.

For any information about the bus service, the public is invited to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, seven days a week.

 

CAPTIONS:
1. Tyron Jeyi, newly appointed Community Liaison Officer in the communications team, points to the on-board digital messaging board where information such as the next stop on the route is displayed. Important Covid-safety messages relating to behaviour on the bus have now been added to the list.

  1. Communication champions Zanele Gosa (left) and Janell Gelant display examples of the apparel with Covid-safety reminders which they wear when engaging with passengers.

 

GO GEORGE hou Covid-veiligheidsboodskap lewe

Uitgereik op 15 Februarie 2021

 

Met ‘n noodsaaklike diens soos die GO GEORGE-busdiens wat amptelik as ‘n hoë-risikogebied vir die verspreiding van die Covid-19-virus geklassifiseer is, is die konstante verfrissing van veiligheidsboodskappe om bewustheid en nakoming van regulasies te bevorder uiters belangrik.

“Daar is altyd die risiko dat mense te gerus kan raak wanneer ‘n situasie voortsleep soos wat met die pandemie die geval is,” sê James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder. “Om hierdie rede kom ons kommunikasiespan voortdurend met nuwe kreatiewe idees en innoverende vorms van kommunikasie vorendag om soveel as moontlik van ons passasiers te bereik, en met ‘n boodskap waarmee hulle kan identifiseer.”

Oudio- en visuele boodskappe

Benewens gereelde koerant- en radio advertensies en sosiale-media-aanmanings om aan die regulasies te voldoen, word stemopnames gedurende spitstye oor luidsprekers by die Vervoerkern (Transport Hub) gespeel, en is Covid-veiligheidsboodskappe op die digitale inligtingsbord in die bus bygevoeg. Met passasiers wat daagliks ‘n taamlike tydjie by die busskuilings deurdring, is vinielpanele wat die boodskap oordra ook daar aangebring, waar almal dit kan sien. Deur beide klank- en visuele boodskappe in te sluit, bevestig die busdiens sy verbintenis om hierdie belangrike boodskap toeganklik te maak vir mense met verskillende kategorieë van spesiale behoeftes.

“Wandelende aanmaners”

Die passasiersdiensbeamptes het twee stelle opvallende uitrustings met Covid-boodskappe om te dra wanneer hulle aan diens is.

“Dit neem soms net iemand met ‘n heldergeel band skuins oor die lyf – soos ‘n skoonheidskoningin – om jou te herinner om jou masker oor jou neus ook op te trek!” sê Robb.

Leerders geteiken

Met skole wat vandeesweek begin, is passasiersdiensbeamptes by die bushaltes naby skole om pamflette met relevante veiligheidsmaatreëls wat op die busse geld, uit te deel. ‘n Kleurvolle superheld genaamd “The Sanitiser” maak hierdie week sy debuut as deel van die kommunikasiespan en ontsmet die leerders se hande op ‘n speelse wyse met ‘n speelgoedwaterpistool vol handreiniger. Om die boodskap te laat vassteek, word klein botteltjies handreiniger ook uitgedeel.

Vir enige inligting oor die busdiens word die publiek genooi om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel, sewe dae per week.

 

Byskrifte:
1. Tyron Jeyi, pas aangestelde gemeenskapskakelbeampte in die kommunikasiespan, beduie na die digitale inligtingsbord in die bus waar inligting soos die volgende bushalte op die roete vertoon word. Belangrike Covid-veiligheidsboodskappe wat met gedrag op die bus verband hou, is nou by die lys gevoeg.

  1. Passasiersdiensbeamptes Zanele Gosa (links) en Janell Gelant vertoon voorbeelde van die klere met Covid-veiligheidsboodskappe wat hulle dra wanneer hulle met die publiek skakel.

 

Indigent Awareness Campaign during February 2021

Indigent Awareness Campaign during February 2021

 

Caption: All people who qualify for indigent relief please follow the instructions to apply for this service as well as people who have been negatively impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The George Municipality Finance Directorate is currently conducting an Indigent Awareness Campaign to make needy households and especially people that were negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, aware of the indigent relieve assistance the organisation have available. Residents who cannot afford the basic services of the Municipality and qualify for the indigent relieve and households that have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic ,can inquire about financial relief at the finance hall at the municipality main building, area offices or the contact the numbers given.

 

Mr Henry Mitchell, Deputy Director: Financial Operations at the George Municipality said that the George Municipality`s foundation is grounded in social regeneration guided by the principles of Batho Pele, among other values. He said it is against this background that social packages form a key part of services rendered to our communities and the Indigent relief programme is part of these services. George Municipality is leading the way in making sure that it keeps improving on delivering much-needed services to its indigent communities.

The records from the Indigent Register as at 31 January 2021, reflects approximately 14 562 households that benefit from the indigent package offered, which is in line with the approved Indigent Policy for the current financial year 2020/2021. The indigent register was updated in 2020 to ensure that indigent and child-headed households are registered, and due to Covid-19 Pandemic further severely affected beneficiaries are expected to register for these benefits.

For this reason,  the Credit Control Division is currently conducting an Indigent Awareness Campaign in George and surrounding areas of Uniondale and Haarlem to assist struggling individuals, people with special needs, pensioners, unemployed and more, so that they could continue to receive their basic municipal services.  The indigent campaign will run from 01 February to 18 February 2021.

People who qualify are asked to please update their registration when any circumstances change and if the individual has not  done so in the past three years. It is very important that the indigents office has the correct cellphone number and if it changes, to please let them know. Once an individual has registered as an indigent, the subsidy will be applied to the residents municipal account and electricity tokens uploaded to their prepaid number every month. All indigent households must pay for any extra water and electricity that are used that is not included in the support.  Please take noet, if a house is worth more than R150 000, you will be billed for property tax.

You can apply for indigent support if you are the registered owner of the residential property or married to such an owner, if you are the occupier of the residential property or married to such an occupier (the main person living there). You can also apply if you are a backyard dweller or spouse of such a dweller (no more than two backyard structures on the property). You qualify for indigent if you are a pensioner (drawing a pension after retirement, a guardian of minors (one or more children under the age of 18), reside in a retirement centre or old age home or  live in a centre for the disabled and/or physically challenged. Places of public worship in an indigent community and registered creches in such communities may also apply.

 

To qualify for the programme, you must be a South African citizen with a valid identification document, have a total household income of less than R4000 a month, be a registered owner, occupier or backyard dweller on a property used for residential purposes, must be a fulltime occupant (live there permanently) and not own more than one property. Centres or institutions where the disabled and/or physically challenged are being cared for, with more than 50% of the membership (disabled persons) registered as indigent or places of public worship, categorised as such on the municipality’s valuation roll, in a poor community with more than 50% of its congregation registered as indigent.  If a creche is registered with the national Department of Social Development (DSD), Sassa and the municipality’s Community Development section, and with more than 50% of the membership (parents of registered children at the creche) registered as indigent it may qualify for indigent relieve.

 

To apply, you must please fill in an official form at the finance hall of the municipality main building (access from parking lot via Victoria or Progress Streets) or at a municipal area office in your community or email indigentsupport@george.gov.za or accounts@george.gov.za and ask for an indigent support application form, fill it in and send it back together with the below-mentioned documents or click to download the form, fill it in and send it back together with the below-mentioned documents to indigent@george.gov.za or accounts@george.gov.za

 

Applicants are asked to bring with them or submit the following documents, a copy of your ID document, if you earn a salary, bring a salary slip that is not older than three months, bank statements from the last three months,  your municipal account or a prepaid electricity token from the place where you live. If you are unemployed, bring an affidavit (a stamped letter) stating that you are currently unemployed. If you receive a Sassa grant, bring a letter with from Sassa confirming your grant as well as your Sassa card.


The registered indigent subsidy in the George municipal area includes:

1.Urban residential properties: 6 kilolitres free water, 70kWh units free electricity, no charges for basic water, refuse removal and sewerage disposal, no rates and taxes of property valued below R150 000.

  1. Rural residential properties: 6 kilolitres water per month delivered to rainwater tanks of rural households in times of drought and 50kWh free electricity units dispensed by Eskom to households who are connected to the Eskom supply grid.
  2. Retirement centres and old age homes: indigent subsidy is credited to the monthly municipal account of the relevant property and will not exceed the total monthly municipal account.
  3. Places of worship in indigent areas: indigent subsidy is credited to the monthly municipal account of the relevant property and will not exceed the total monthly municipal account.
  4. Creches in indigent areas: indigent subsidy is credited to the monthly municipal account of the relevant property and will not exceed the total monthly municipal account.
  5. Centres or institutions for the disabled: indigent subsidy is credited to the monthly municipal account of the relevant property and will not exceed the total monthly municipal account.

 

Households not qualifying for Indigent Support because they earn more than R4000 per month or that do not qualify because of other criteria, can apply for a percentage rebate (discount) on property rates by downloading the form, filling it in and sending it to accounts@george.gov.za along with the above-mentioned documentation.

Rebates are determined annually as part of the budget process and updated in the annual tariffs list, and are usually 40% on property rates for a household income of R0-R7000 and 20% on property rates for household incomes of R7000-R8000.

For more information please contact Lydia Geja on  044 801 9362 or Heather Erasmus on 044 801 9184 or email indigentsupport@george.gov.za

GO GEORGE – Be safe on the bus to school this year

BE SAFE ON THE BUS TO SCHOOL THIS YEAR

Issued: Mon 8 Feb 2021

 

 

With the new academic year starting next week, parents’ transport schedules will be taking on the regular frenzy of dropping-off and picking up their children at school. Parents of learners who make use of the GO GEORGE bus service to get to school, are encouraged to help their children get equipped in time.

 

It is important to get a GO GEORGE Smart Card and load enough trips before schools start, and not to wait until they have no trips left before topping up again. The Smart Card should be treated with the same care as any bank card or cash; if it gets lost, trips on the card cannot be refunded or transferred to a new card.

School route maps

This year, GO GEORGE communication champions may not be able to visit all schools as usual at the beginning of the school year, due to Covid-19 safety restrictions.  They will, however, be present at the bus stops near schools during the first few weeks of the school term to inform learners about the different routes to school. Unique maps depicting the different options available to school and back home have been created for each school and will be discussed with the learners. These maps can also be downloaded from the website www.gogeorge.org.za.

Learners are advised to discuss boarding time with the champions and the best routes to use to avoid full buses during peak time. Champions will also remind learners about important Covid-19 safety regulations. This will be done in a novel manner, with the assistance of The Sanitiser – a superhero character who will make sure that the young passengers do not forget to wear their masks correctly and to regularly sanitise their hands.

 

Covid-19 safety

 

GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb, calls upon parents to also help imprint the importance of adherence to the Covid-19 safety regulations on their children when using the bus service.

 

“Public transport remains a high-risk environment for the spreading of the virus. We are doing everything in our power to contribute to passengers’ safety when using our buses. But we need all our passengers, learners included, to take responsibility for their own health and safety by adhering to the basic safety measures,” he said.

 

“Please make sure that your child is equipped with a proper mask covering both the mouth and nose, and that they keep the masks on, even when chatting to friends on the bus. We supply sanitiser on the buses – passengers should sanitise their hands when they enter and when they leave the bus.”

 

For more information on the best routes to the various schools in town, phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za or visit www.gogeorge.org.za.

 

CAPTION:
Keenan Myners demonstrates how masks should be worn, covering the mouth as well as the nose. It is of utmost importance that passengers should keep their masks on during the entire bus trip – all protection is compromised when the mask is taken off to chat to co-passengers.

 

WEES VANJAAR VEILIG OP DIE BUS SKOOL TOE

Uitgereik: Maandag 8 Februarie 2021

 

 

Met die nuwe akademiese jaar wat volgende week afskop, begin ouers se uitdaging met dol vervoerskedules om hul kinders by die skool af te laai en op te tel. Ouers van leerders wat van die GO GEORGE-busdiens gebruik maak om by die skool uit te kom, word aangemoedig om hul kinders te help om betyds alles hiervoor gereed te kry.

 

Dit is belangrik om ‘n GO GEORGE Slimkaart te kry en genoeg ritte te laai voordat skole begin, en nie te wag totdat leerders geen ritte oor het voordat hulle weer herlaai nie. Die Slimkaart moet met dieselfde sorg as enige bankkaart of kontant hanteer word; as dit wegraak, kan ritte op die kaart nie terugbetaal of na ‘n nuwe kaart oorgedra word nie.

 

Skoolroetekaarte

 

Go GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes sal weens Covid-19-veiligheidsbeperkings nie aan die begin van die skooljaar alle skole soos gewoonlik kan besoek nie. Hulle sal egter gedurende die eerste paar weke van die skoolkwartaal by die bushaltes naby skole wees om leerders in te lig oor die verskillende roetes skool toe. Unieke kaarte wat die verskillende opsies skool toe en terug huis toe uitbeeld, is vir elke skool geskep en sal met die leerders bespreek word. Hierdie kaarte kan ook afgelaai word vanaf die webwerf www.gogeorge.org.za. Leerders word aangeraai om die beste opklimtyd en roetes om vol busse gedurende spitstyd te vermy met die passasiersdiensbeamptes te bespreek.

 

Die beamptes sal leerders ook herinner aan belangrike Covid-19-veiligheidsregulasies. ‘n Superheldkarakter genaamd The Sanitiser sal op vermaaklike wyse seker maak dat die jong passasiers nie vergeet om hul maskers korrek te dra en gereeld hul hande te ontsmet nie.

 

Covid-19-veiligheid

 

GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb, doen ‘n beroep op ouers om ook te help om die belangrikheid van nakoming van die Covid-19-veiligheidsregulasies by hul kinders in te skerp wanneer hulle die busdiens gebruik.

 

“Openbare vervoer bly ‘n hoë-risiko omgewing vir die verspreiding van die virus en ons doen alles in ons vermoë om by te dra tot passasiers se veiligheid wanneer hulle ons busse gebruik. Maar ons het nodig dat al ons passasiers, leerders ingesluit, verantwoordelikheid vir hul eie gesondheid en veiligheid neem deur aan die basiese veiligheidsmaatreëls te voldoen,” het hy gesê.

 

“Maak asseblief seker dat jou kind toegerus is met ‘n behoorlike masker wat die mond sowel as die neus bedek, en dat hulle die maskers aanhou, selfs wanneer hulle met vriende op die bus gesels. Ons verskaf handreiniger op die busse – passasiers moet asseblief hul hande ontsmet wanneer hulle opklim en weer wanneer hulle die bus verlaat.”

 

Vir meer inligting oor die beste roetes na die onderskeie skole in die dorp, skakel gerus die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044, stuur ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za of besoek www.gogeorge.org.za.

 

Onderskrif:
Keenan Myners demonstreer hoe maskers gedra moet word sodat die mond sowel as die neus bedek word. Dit is van uiterste belang dat passasiers hul maskers tydens die hele busrit aanhou – alle beskerming is daarmee heen wanneer die masker afgehaal word om met medepassasiers te gesels.

George libraries reopen on Monday

George libraries reopen to the public on Monday (8 February 2021) with Covid-19 measures in place. The facilities have been closed since December 2020 when national and local infection rates reached its peak.

George Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz said libraries offered a valuable service to communities and the municipality was glad that these facilities could now reopen following a significant decrease in Covid-19 cases and recently announced amendments to Level 3 restrictions. “It is especially good that our libraries in Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp can reopen as these have been closed for longer as they were situated in former Covid-19 hotspots,” said Dr Gratz.

Safety of staff and patrons remains of utmost importance and all Covid-19 protocols are in place at all libraries. Opening hours remain reduced and admittance to the George Main Library remains by appointment only while the community libraries will be access-restricted based on the amount of people inside the library according to the size of the facility.

George Libraries Manager Rachel Williams welcomed back all library users and thanked them for their ongoing patience and consideration during challenging times. “Library users who have material on loan from before libraries closed need not worry about any fines as materials were automatically renewed during the most recent closure.

“We are also launching a service in which patrons can select books via the online library portal (see details below) and email a list of materials they want to loan. Librarians will make up piles of available materials and arrange a time for collection. You can also phone your librarian to inquire about a book-by-phone service,” said Ms Willams.

Library services remain limited as follows:
Issue and return of books.
Ten books per library member for lending period of a month at a time.
Admittance to adults and children older than 12.
Children’s section is closed to children, but adults can take out books on behalf of children.
Research and reference services arranged by phone and/or email.
Internet services – preference given to pre-booked patrons, maximum two people at any given time.
Study area limited in compliance with regulations.
Wearing of masks and sanitising of hands are compulsory.
Your temperature will be taken before entering the library area, no admittance if it is 37.5C and higher.

Library materials handed in will be quarantined for 72 hours as per national and Western Cape safety standards and plastic covered materials wiped with sanitiser before being made available for loan.

Avontuur Library: 044 752 3351 avontuurbiblioteek@gmail.com – Monday 12pm-3pm, Tuesday 11am-2pm, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-1pm.
Blanco Library: 044 870 7047 gmblancobib@gmail.com – Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
Conville Library: 044 801 9320 Jrhode1@george.gov.za – Monday 9am-4pm
George Library: 044 801 9288 rwilliams@george.gov.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 9am-12pm
Haarlem Library: 044 763 1023 shonisemichels@yahoo.com – Monday, Thursday and Friday 2pm-5pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 2pm-5pm
Noll Library: 044 745 1014 dieprivierprim@gmail.com – Monday and Wednesday 12pm-3pm, Saturday 9am-12pm
Pacaltsdorp Library: 044 803 9340 pacsbib@george.org.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm
Thembalethu Library: 044 803 9260 xakortman@george.gov.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm
Touwsranten Library: 044 803 9285 touwsbib@george.org.za – Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
Uniondale Library: 044 752 1024 fortuinelton@yahoo.com – Monday to Friday 10am-4.30pm
Waboomskraal Library: angiefigeland@gmail.com – Monday to Friday 10am-2pm

George Municipality library portal link: wc.slims.gov.za/desktop/desktopwcgeplge
You can search online according to author, title, subjects, keyword, publisher or ISBN number.
Type in your library number on your card to check your library materials status including due date and opportunity to renew your books yourself.

Caption
Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais (right) paid a courtesy visit to Uniondale Library on Thursday. Library assistant Sandra van Vught showed her around.

Three arrested for damaging GO GEORGE buses

THREE ARRESTED FOR DAMAGING GO GEORGE BUSES

Issued: 3 Feb 2021

Damage to municipal property is serious; it is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record

 

Three men were arrested by the Pacaltsdorp police last week after stoning a GO GEORGE bus in Delville Park, damaging its back window and resulting in temporary service suspension of the Pacaltsdorp community route. This was one of three incidents of stone throwing at buses on Friday.

Vandalism to GO GEORGE buses and infrastructure has been a major challenge ever since the bus service rolled out and became even worse since the installation of bus shelters with operational information applied on the inside. These, as well as broken glass panels, are being replaced constantly at huge cost to the Municipality.

James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, says people don’t understand the consequences of this kind of behaviour. “We need everybody to realise that malicious damage to municipal property is a very serious matter; it is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record when convicted. The same goes for people throwing stones at the buses – we have had three such incidents last week and five during January alone. Last year, 18 incidents of stone throwing and damage to buses were reported.

“Moreover – instances of vandalism, including stone-throwing, puts the lives of passengers and bus drivers at risk, and inconveniences passengers waiting at shelters, unnecessarily enduring harsh weather conditions (wind and rain) due to shelter damage. These senseless acts of vandalism are costing a fortune to keep replacing and repairing, and for no good reason. In the case of damaged buses, we need to take those vehicles out of service to repair, sometimes for several days, causing delays and capacity problems with fewer buses on route.”

According to Dr Michele Gratz, Acting Municipal Manager, the three men were apprehended by the Municipality’s Rapid Response Unit within minutes after receiving the call and were handed over to the Police. “The Municipality has a zero-tolerance approach to criminality and will work closely with the SAPS to address these matters. Vandals must be warned that every effort will be made to ensure their arrest and successful prosecution.

“We call upon the George community to take hands and help protect GO GEORGE vehicles and municipal infrastructure.  Please report any acts of vandalism and especially help prevent such acts,” she said.

Members of the public are requested to report people tampering with, painting or damaging GO GEORGE infrastructure or buses, while it is taking place and with as much information as possible, by phoning George Municipality Law Enforcement on 044 801 6350 or 044 801 6300 (after hours), or the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044.

CAPTIONS:

Vandalism stone throwing:

Replacing broken bus windows is a very costly exercise and takes buses out of service while being repaired. This puts pressure on the system and schedule, impacting service to passengers.

 

 

Drie in hegtenis geneem vir beskadiging van  GO GEORGE-BUSSE

Uitgereik: 3 Feb 2021

Skade aan munisipale eiendom is ernstig; dit is ‘n kriminele oortreding en sal lei tot ‘n kriminele rekord.

 

Drie mans is verlede week deur die Pacaltsdorp-polisie in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle ‘n GO GEORGE-bus in Delvillepark met klippe gegooi het, die agterste venster beskadig het en tydelike opskorting van die Pacaltsdorp-gemeenskapsroete tot gevolg gehad het. Hierdie was een van drie voorvalle van klipgooiery na busse Vrydag.

Vandalisering van GO GEORGE-busse en -infrastruktuur is ‘n groot uitdaging sedert die busdiens ontplooi is en is selfs erger sedert die installering van busskuilings met operasionele inligting wat aan die binnekant aangebring word. Dit, asook gebreekte glaspanele, word voortdurend teen groot koste aan die munisipaliteit vervang.

James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, sê mense verstaan nie die gevolge van hierdie soort gedrag nie. “Ons het almal nodig om te besef dat kwaadwillige skade aan munisipale eiendom ‘n baie ernstige saak is; dit is ‘n kriminele oortreding en sal lei tot ‘n kriminele rekord wanneer iemand skuldig bevind word. Dieselfde geld vir mense wat klippe na die busse gooi – ons het verlede week drie sulke voorvalle gehad en vyf gedurende Januarie alleen. Verlede jaar is 18 voorvalle van klipgooiery en skade aan busse aangemeld.

“Voorts plaas voorvalle van vandalisme, insluitend klipgooiery, die lewens van passasiers en busbestuurders in gevaar, en verontrief dit passasiers wat weens beskadigde skuilings onaangename weersomstandighede soos wind en reën moet verduur terwyl hulle vir ‘n bus wag. Hierdie sinnelose dade van vandalisme kos ‘n fortuin om aan te hou vervang en herstel. In die geval van beskadigde busse moet ons daardie voertuie uit diens haal om te herstel, soms vir etlike dae, wat vertragings en kapasiteitsprobleme met minder busse op die roete veroorsaak.”

Volgens dr. Michele Gratz, waarnemende munisipale bestuurder, is die drie mans binne minute nadat hulle die oproep ontvang het, deur die munisipaliteit se vinnige-reaksie-eenheid aangekeer en aan die polisie oorhandig. “Die munisipaliteit het ‘n zero-verdraagsaamheidsbenadering tot misdaad en sal nou met die SAPD saamwerk om hierdie sake die hoof te bied. Vandale word gewaarsku dat alles moontlik gedoen sal word om hul inhegtenisneming en suksesvolle vervolging te verseker.

“Ons doen ‘n beroep op die George-gemeenskap om hande te vat en te help om GO GEORGE-voertuie en munisipale infrastruktuur te beskerm.  Meld asseblief enige dade van vandalisme aan en help veral om sulke dade te voorkom,” het sy gesê.

Lede van die publiek word versoek om mense aan te meld wat aan infrastruktuur of busse peuter, dit verf of beskadig, terwyl dit plaasvind en met soveel inligting as moontlik, deur George-munisipaliteit se Wetstoepassingsafdeling by 044 801 6350 of 044 801 6300 (na-ure) te skakel, of die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044.

Byskrifte:

Vandalism stone throwing:

Die vervanging van gebreekte busvensters is ‘n baie duur oefening en neem busse uit diens terwyl dit herstel word. Dit plaas druk op die stelsel en skedule, wat ‘n impak op diens aan passasiers het.

 

 

Update Municipal Services during Covid-19

Latest update: 14 January 2021 (current Level 3 amended)
George Municipality hereby confirms that it is open for business, services are being rendered and administration buildings are open except for halls and venues, sport facilities and libraries.

While in-person services are rendered where required, we appeal to the public to consider doing transactions and business online, per telephone or via email to avoid coming to the municipality in person and helping to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

During the Covid-19 crisis period, certain staff may be working from home or on rotation, which means contact details and office hours of some services may differ from usual operations. Please see below for more details per directorate.

Please note access to all municipal buildings by members of the public, when open, is subject to Covid-19 protocols which include registration, temperature-checking, sanitising of hands and always wearing a face mask.

Depending on the size of foyers and reception areas, the number of people allowed into a specific department or section may differ and you will be advised accordingly upon arrival. We kindly request the public to be patient and to allow for extra waiting time.

GENERAL
Depending on the requirements of a specific department, staff are working on rotation or from home, and access by the public may be limited. Please phone or email as far as possible as per details below.
Switchboard: 044 801 9111
All after-hours George Municipality emergencies: 044 801 6300
Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management emergencies: 044 805 5071 (all hours)

PROTECTION SERVICES
Protection Services administration offices (Cathedral Street entrance) are closed to the public and staff until further notice. Staff render services remotely and can be contacted via numbers below.
Fire emergencies only: 044 801 6311 (all hours)
Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350/89
Anti-Land Invasion: 044 801 6310
GIPTN PTOO: 044 801 6345
All after-hours emergencies: 044 801 6300

Traffic Department Offices, Driving and Learners Licences:
Mission Street, Pacaltsdorp 044 878 2400
Open to the public Monday to Friday 8am-3pm unless otherwise announced as per Covid-19 measures.

The department is open for new appointments for driving and learner’s licences as per usual rules (see Driving and Learners Licence section under Protection Services at www.george.gov.za for details).

Pick-up times for newly issued driving licences from the Pacaltsdorp offices: Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm, except if your confirmation SMS indicates a Saturday collection opportunity. Please bring your ID document and show the pick-up confirmation SMS to the official at the entrance.

Please note that learner’s licences, driving licences, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits which expired from 26 March 2020 up until 31 December 2020 are deemed valid and validity is extended for a further grace period ending 31 August 2021.

If your driving or learners’ licence test was cancelled during lockdown or because of offices being closed due to Covid-19 measures, you will receive an SMS with a new date and time. Please phone 044 878 2400 if you have not received an SMS within 20 days from your previous appointment.

Traffic fines
To pay your traffic fines online, use the account details below and use the traffic fine number printed on the fine as reference.
Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Number: 62869623168
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ

Vehicle Testing Station
Hibernia Street (next to train station) 044 801 9312
Open to public Monday to Friday 8am-3pm, access control from gate at the street.

Motor Vehicle Registration and Licencing
Hibernia Street (next to train station) 044 801 9310/1
Open to public weekdays 8am-3pm, except Wednesdays 9am-2pm due to compulsory training, or if otherwise indicated as per Covid-19 measures. Access control from gate at the street.
Please consider online renewal of vehicle licences as per details below, instead of in-person renewals, as Covid-19 regulations significantly impacts on the amount of people that can be served in a day. Bulk transactions are being handled after-hours. Pregnant women, the elderly and disabled can pre-arrange preferential treatment by calling 044 801 9310.

While VEHICLE LICENCE RENEWALS CAN be done online, the REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES CANNOT be done online as RICA requirements stipulate that the owner of the vehicle must physically appear in front of the official – this is, among other things, a measure against fraudulent registration of vehicles.

You don’t have to go to the Vehicle Licence Centre to renew your vehicle licence – do it online.
ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF VEHICLE LICENCE RENEWALS
The customer starts by registering a profile online at https://online.natis.gov.za/#/ or download the RTMC mobile application for Android from Google PlayStore.
Choose between registering as an individual or business.
The following information will be required:
1. Individual: initial, name, surname, ID number, driving licence number, contact details via mobile phone or email.
2. Organisation: name of business, ID number of proxy, driving licence number of proxy, contact details via mobile phone or email.
3. A one-time pin will be sent to your email or mobile phone number, which you must enter online.
4. Go to the ‘View motor vehicle renewals’ section and verify the information.
5. Access and/or download your electronic motor vehicle licence RENEWAL NOTICE (also known as a MVL2 notice).
6. The amount for the renewal of your vehicle will be on the notice.
7. Pay this amount into the George Municipality FNB bank account (details below) and use the relevant vehicle licence number as a reference, eg. CAW ###### / Private number ##### WP
8. FNB Account number: George Municipality, Public Sector Cheque Account 62869623150 (Branch Code 210554). Email the proof of payment to msbrits@george.gov.za or rharmse@george.gov.za AND mjulyan@george.gov.za
9. Keep a copy of your proof of payment in the relevant car until you receive your licence disk but keep your expired disk on your window in the meantime.
10. Once payment reflects on the municipality’s bank statement, the vehicle licence will be processed, and you will be contacted to arrange collection. Please do not collect unless pre-arranged and notified via SMS.

CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Services continue as usual but public access to administration offices (old City Hall) and Customer Services (corner York and Progress Streets) is limited to protect staff.
Urgent appointments that cannot be dealt with via online meetings on MS Teams or other electronic means will be attended to by prior arrangement. Please phone 044 801 9354 or 044 801 9277 to obtain relevant email address.
Report water leaks and burst pipes, sewerage blockages, leaks and spillages and urgent road and stormwater issues to:
044 801 9262/6 (7.45am-4.30pm)
044 801 6300 (after hours)
Estimated response times are 24-48 hours from recorded time of complaint at the above numbers.

ELECTROTECHNICAL SERVICES
Services continue as usual and the administration offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45-4.30pm.
Two people are allowed in the foyer at any given time and members of the public will be allowed into offices following screening at the security desk.
Planned maintenance continues and essential repairs for which planned outages are required will be communicated.
Please report power outages, broken street lights and faulty traffic lights to:
044 801 9222 (7.45am-4.30pm)
044 801 9202
044 801 6300 (after hours)
Estimated response times from recorded time of complaint at above numbers:
Low voltage electricity – within 24 hours.
High voltage electricity faults – can be longer than 24 hours depending on type of fault.
Street lights – three to four weeks.
Pre-paid electricity queries to Itron/Ontec: 044 873 5474 (8am-4pm).

COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Services Administration, 82 Meade Street, is open to the public on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm unless otherwise indicated as per temporary Covid-19 measures.
One person is allowed in the foyer at any given time, but no public allowed into the administration offices for any reason. Please contact the specific person via telephone or email as listed below to arrage for online meetings if necessary.

Reception/all departments: 044 802 2900 ccunningham@george.gov.za or ykibido@george.gov.za
Office of the Director: 044 802 2904 and imlubbe@george.gov.za
Parks and Recreation complaints: 044 802 2921 and bmbondweni@george.gov.za
Uncollected BLACK bags 044 802 2900/20/27 or ymali@george.gov.za / jstuurman@george.gov.za
Uncollected GREEN and BLUE bags: 044 802 2900/ mabotha@george.gov.za / jstuurman@george.gov.za
Environmental Health: anontshikiza@george.gov.za / tabotha@george.gov.za
Transfer Station: edraghoender@george.gov.za

Landfill Site and Transfer Station, Airport Road, open to public weekdays 7am-6pm and Saturdays 7am-1pm. Covid-19 protocols in place, bring your own pen to sign in for extra safety. edraghoender@george.gov.za

Street cleaning crews continue to operate in and around the CBD and entrance roads to the city at selected hours, seven days a week.

Public toilets at the CBD taxi rank and Doneraile Square open every day, toilets at Shoprite open on weekends.

Please report illegal dump sites to 044 802 2900 or aapril@george.gov.za or kvstoffels@george.gov.za. The municipality appeals to communities to remain safe and to not dump waste, which is illegal and can be hazardous to their health.

Attendance of funerals is limited to 50 persons or less provided that no more than 50 percent of the capacity of a venue is being used. Attendees must observe a distance of at least 1.5m, wear face masks and adhere to all health protocols. Night vigils and ‘after-tears’ are not allowed.

Visitation to cemeteries by small groups are allowed at weekends provided that all Covid-19 protocols are observed.

Municipal sport fields and public swimming pools are closed for all activities, practices and games. Enquiries Gerald de Villiers on gdevilliers@george.gov.za or 044 801 9488.
This measure does not apply to municipal sport facilities rented out to clubs and sports bodies, such as tennis and squash courts. Please contact relevant clubs in this regard.

Community Development offices behind the Main Building are open on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm. Contact 044 802 2000 or ejcorner@george.gov.za

The municipality continues to support 129 municipal soup kitchens. Strict social distancing and hygienic practices apply. Emergency essential social services enquiries 072 693 3488.

The Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) unit is open to the public by appointment only, weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm. Contact 044 802 2010 or gesau@george.gov.za to arrange appointments or phone 072 070 7234 for emergencies only.

All libraries remain closed for now. Loan periods for library materials are automatically extended and no fines will be charged for times when libraries are closed. George Main Library has a postbox-type slot next to the back entrance should you want to return books while the library is closed. Enquiries to Rachel Williams on 044 801 9292 or rwilliams@george.gov.za

CORPORATE SERVICES
Records are open to the public weekdays 8am-4pm unless otherwise announced as per temporary Covid-19 measures.
Central Records Main Building: 044 801 9286/9431/9125/9178 and emergencies only Cynthia Boltman 072 1780 327.
Building Plan Records (corner York and Progress Streets) 044 801 9367 and emergencies only Mia Mackenzie 083 475 6722.
Area offices are open to the public on weekdays 8am-3pm and contactable by phone until 4.30pm as per below list unless otherwise announced as per temporary Covid-19 measures. After-hours emergencies to 044 801 6300.
Covid-19 protocols are in place and thresholds apply as to how many people are allowed into each applicable building.
Services available at area offices and service points include reporting essential services faults such as water and electricity problems, all other municipal complaints, account inquiries, indigent applications, housing waiting list enquiries, property valuation roll queries and general inquiries.
Blanco: 044 803 9275
Conville: 044 803 9261
Pacaltsdorp: 044 803 9286
Protea Park: 044 801 9111 ask for extension 2796 (Tuesday, Thursday)
New Dawn Park: 044 801 9111 ask for extension 2797
Rosedale: 044 803 9295
Rosemoor: 044 801 9379 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Touwsranten/Wilderness/Kleinkrantz: 044 803 9280
Thembalethu: 044 801 9448

Thusong Centres reception are open weekdays 8am-3pm, but other departments’ tenants are open as per their usual individual office hours.
Waboomskraal Thusong Centre: 044 886 0040
Thembalethu Thusong Centre: 044 801 9448
After hours emergencies: 044 801 6300

Community halls and venues are closed to the public. Enquiries to Rozendra Thysse on 044 8019111/5 or rsthysse@george.gov.za and Alwyn Joseph 044 801 9005.
Acting Superintendent Halls: 060 823 3607 (on rotation with Maintenance)
Acting Superintendent Maintenance: 083 418 4588 (on rotation with Halls)

Human Resources offices are closed to the public unless otherwise arranged, HR functions continue. Enquiries to HRAdmin@george.gov.za

HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
Human Settlements administration offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45am-4pm. Covid-19 protocols are in place and only two people are allowed into the foyer at any given time.
For basic services (water and sanitation in informal areas) queries and complaints in informal settlements please contact 044 802 2003.
For assistance with emergency structures following disaster (fire, flooding etc) please phone 044 802 2029.
Queries and complaints for water leakages and sewerage complaints (indigent cases) can be reported at the office on above times, but preferably by phone on 044 801 9210/9994/9453 or pshelane@george.gov.za or ddlouw@george.gov.za

Existing Housing Offices
Existing Housing offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45am-4pm.
Covid-19 protocols are in place and only two people are allowed into the foyer at any given time.
Enquiries: 044 801 9113 or 044 801 9078

New Housing
New Housing Department (St Johns Street) offices are open to the public weekdays 7.45am-4pm.
Covid-19 protocols are in place and only two people are allowed into the foyer at any given time.
Please note only the person making the enquiry will be allowed access.
There may be a waiting period and/or the person can leave their contact details and enquiry on the form provided at the security point where after an official will make contact.
Enquiries: 044 802 2003

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Please note Town Planning, Building Control and Property Management offices are closed until further notice but officials can still be contacted by phone or email or can arrange a virtual Zoom or Microsoft Teams appointment with the relevant official to discuss any matters.
Town Planning General enquiries: 044 801 9477
Property Transfer Certificates: Marina Welman mhwelman@george.gov.za / 044 801 9171
Zoning Certificates: Lorraine Malangeni lxmalangeni@george.gov.za / 044 801 9477
Zoning Rectifications: Jeanne Fourie jfourie@george.gov.za / 044 801 9138 and Ilané Huyser ihuyser@george.gov.za / 044 801 9550
Illegal Land Use Complaints: Robin Hector rlhector@george.gov.za / 044 801 9475 and Mawethu Bonga mbonga@george.gov.za / 044 801 9520

Land use applications
Land use applications can be submitted as per instruction sheets on website. See ‘Covid 19 Level 1 Land Use Applications Submission Guidelines – Oct 2020’ and ‘Public Participation Instructions Covid 19 Level 1 – Oct 2020’ on the link https://www.george.gov.za/george-documents/land-use-applications/land-use-submissions/
Enquiries land use applications as below:
Erven ending with an even number (i.e. 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Primrose Nako 044 801 9416 pnako@george.gov.za
Erven ending with an odd number (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Marissa Arries 044 801 9473 marries@george.gov.za
Farm/portion numbers: Marina Welman 044 801 9171 mhwelman@george.gov.za

Building Control
Building plans can be submitted online. See https://www.george.gov.za/planning-development/building-control/ for more information.
Building Control General Enquiries 044 801 9370
Request for existing building plans (Registration Department):
Phindiswa Lingani: 044 801 9370 pmlingani@george.gov.za
Sinazo Moshani: 044 801 9019 smoshani@george.gov.za
Musa Dyakop: 044 801 9166 mdyakop@george.gov.za
Status on building plan approvals: Vasti Laws: 044 801 9509 vnlaws@george.gov.za
Andrea Griessel: 044 801 9502 agriessel@george.gov.za
Please contact Building Inspectors directly during office hours:
James Vollenhoven: 076 823 0412
Fuzisa Siguba: 083 949 8651
Illegal activity: Nolan Noemdoe 083 757 3717

Property Management
Donald Gelderbloem: Manager Property Management 044 801 9073 dmgelderbloem@george.gov.za
Leasing of properties: Josephine Mpembe 044 801 9190 jmpembe@george.gov.za
Sale of properties: René Hendricks 044 801 9472 rehendricks@george.gov.za
General enquiries: Monique Isaks 044 801 9375 misaks@george.gov.za

Economic Development
Cathedral Square office is open to the public 9am-4pm, strict protocols apply.
Business queries: Joan Shaw 081 412 9995
Other queries: 044 801 2820 bduplessis@george.gov.za

IDP Office
Closed to the public but contactable during office hours.
Ronel le Fleur: 044 801 9075 / 071 870 7887 rlefleur@george.gov.za

Ward committee operations
Closed to the public but contactable during office hours.
Paulina Saaiman: 044 801 9074 / 060 579 6829 pasaaiman@george.gov.za

George Tourism
Open to the public weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm, strict protocols apply.
044 801 9295 info@visitgeorge.co.za
Wilderness Tourism
Open to the public weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm, strict protocols apply.
044 877 0045 info@visitgeorge.co.za

FINANCE
The Finance Hall in the Main Building is open to the public weekdays from 8am-3.30pm.
Covid-19 protocols are in place and only six people are allowed inside the Finance Hall at any given time.
Estimated waiting time is 20 minutes depending on the type of queries of the customers ahead of you in the queue.
While electronic payments are recommended (see details below), the Finance Hall is open for account payments in addition to municipal account queries, opening of accounts, new connections, duplicate accounts, arrangements on arrears, indigent applications etc.
Printed municipal accounts are being issued every month. If you have not received your account by the due date of the 15th of each month, please contact us to forward an email copy or pay your monthly average amount. Online accounts via email have not been affected by lockdown. If you want to receive your account via email please mail a request to accounts@george.gov.za.

Ratepayers are requested to use one of the below-mentioned methods to make payments.
Accounts can be paid via electronic transfer (EFT – see details below), via pay@ mobile applications (see details below) and at Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, USave and SPAR.
Please take your most recent available account statement with you so that the shop can access the bar code that connects your payment to your GRG account number.

Meter readings
A new service provider, Electro Cuts, has commenced services for George Municipality on 1 January 2021 and will pick up the reading service as it applies from 17 December 2020.
Consumers who have in the past sent water meter readings to Ikapa, must please note the change in email address for this purpose to meterreadings@george.gov.za. Online submissions of water meter readings are welcomed and can be provided via the above email address by the 5th of each month along with the accountholder’s name, contact details and GRG account number.

Bank Details for electronic payment (please note bank details changed 1 December 2020)
The old account is being phased out so please amend as soon as possible. For now it is still active and payments made so far will have been received.
If you have a debit order on your account, details will automatically be updated. If you have created an account for online banking, please delete the old account and create a new one with the details as below.
First National Bank (FNB)
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Number: 62869623150
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: your GRG account number
Proof of payment to be sent to payments@george.gov.za

pay@ mobile applications
Download Masterpass, Snapscan or Zapper application on your mobile phone and complete your profile.
Load your credit or debit card.
To pay the account, open ‘Wallet’ inside the App you have downloaded and scan the QR code (the black square with the little squares inside it on the bottom right of your account).
Enter the amount you are going to pay and complete the transaction.
The App will confirm your successful, secure transaction.
You can also use the following link for payment of your account:
https://payat.io/qr/11413
Click on the link and enter the Pay@ reference number (number starting with 11413) which appears on your account. Your customer information will appear with payment options to choose from.

Prepaid electricity purchases
www.prepaid24.co.za
https://home.ontec.co.za
www.ipay.co.za
The electricity token is automatically sent to the client via SMS or email.
Mobile apps belonging to banks also have a pre-paid electricity purchase function.
For prepaid enquiries please contact 044 873 5474.

General enquiries to accounts@george.gov.za or 044 801 9111.
Please provide your GRG account number with all enquiries.
Please note that limited assistance is available as personnel may be working offline.

Credit Control enquiries: 044 801 9111

MUNICIPAL COURT
The George Municipal Court is open to the public on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm unless otherwise indicated due to temporary Covid-19 measures.
Please note the office of the Clerk of the Court is closed every day 1pm-1.45pm for representations and other transactions.
Enquiries: 044 801 9400

UNIONDALE
Offices are open to the public on weekdays 8am-4.30pm unless otherwise indicated due to temporary Covid-19 measures.
Fire: 044 752 1225
Switchboard and fault reporting: 044 752 1024
Tourism: 044 752 1076
Haarlem: 044 763 1013
After hours: 044 801 6300

Garden Route Health platform update

25 January 2021

 

The Garden Route District has shown a 43% decline in new COVID-19 cases the past 7 days compared to 7-14 days previously as well as a decline in hospitalisations.

 

“We are optimistic about the decline in numbers but remain vigilant in order to contain any cluster outbreaks through responding as early as possible. We have to maintain our momentum of surveillance and monitoring as a Department but also rely on the community to keep up with the protective behaviours (wearing a mask at all times in public, avoiding crowded spaces, avoiding spaces with poor ventilation and maintaining social distancing) that has brought about the gains which we now see”, said District Director of Health Mr Zee Brickles.

 

Sub-district Total Active Recovered Died
Hessequa 1 806 239 1 483 84
Mossel Bay 7 041 347 6 498 196
George 11 322 549 10 400 373
Knysna 4 680 163 4 363 154
Bitou 2 624 119 2 402 103
Kannaland 768 109 631 28
Oudtshoorn 3 687 286 3 179 222
TOTAL 31 928 1 812 28 956 1 160

 

 

Increasing our protection through vaccination

                                                                      

It is estimated that 1 000 000 vaccines will be made available for all frontline workers in South Africa in January, including those in the public and private sector, care workers, community health workers, etc. A further 500 000 vaccines will be made available in South Africa in February.

 

The roll-out will be executed in a phased approach, with the first phase targeting healthcare workers. The second phase will target essential workers, people in congregate settings, persons older than 60 years, and persons older than 18 years with comorbidities. The third phase is envisioned to target people older than 18 years who has not been vaccinated during the first two phases.

 

Western Cape Government will play a stewardship role. Administration of these vaccines forms part of the vaccine roll-out strategy. The Department is working on this strategy, including the logistics thereof, with the input of private sector roleplayers. More engagements on the finer details of this plan will be made available once finalised. This is a massive operation that requires a multi-sectoral approach and the support of public, private and all parts of civil society.

 

Western Cape Government App has 3 900 downloads

WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT APP HAS 3 900 DOWNLOADS

 

25 January 2021

 

Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers says the number of downloads of the WCG App, demonstrates how residents from this province have taken to adopting technology to access services in the public sector.

 

Since the launch of the WCG App, https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/human-settlements/flyers/hs-wcg-app-eng.pdf in March 2020, there have been 3 900 downloads and 429 housing applications.

 

This App ensures our citizens can easily access information on government housing assistance, register for the first time or update their details on the Housing Demand Database (HDD).

 

Amongst others, this means residents are no longer required to visit their local housing office to be assisted, instead assistance is but a few clicks away. Further to this, it also ensures protection against the spread of covid-19, as residents have complete remote access.

 

Minister Simmers said: “This app shows our commitment to one of our key drivers, which is the radical implementation of innovative solutions for our citizens. Utilising technology optimally, allows us to offer more options to our residents, while also ensuring a significant push towards getting our people into houses.

 

I’d like to encourage more residents to download our WCG app, as it is available on both the Android and iOS platforms. The registration process is also straightforward and easy to follow.

 

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe, and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.”

Festive season over – only 7 black bags per household will be collected

The public must please note as from the 11th of January 2021 the service with regards to the removal of black refuse bags returns to only 7 black bags allowed.

During the season between 1 December 2020 and 11 January 2021 the Municipality collected all black bags as a courtesy to consumers. Now we revert back to only 7 black bags per week per household.

Blue and green bag pick-up services continue inhouse this week with the help of temporarily reallocated staff while distribution of replacement blue and green bags is expected to commence next week (25 January 2021). If you are using black bags at the moment for your recycling and garden waste, please help us by identifying black bags containing recyclable and green waste with blue or green string, stickers or papers.

 

Black bags continue to be distributed once a quarter, with the next pack of 26 black bags to be delivered towards the end of March 2021.

We remind citizens that bags must be placed outside on the curb by 7am on collection day.

 

The Community Services Administration, 82 Meade Street, is open to the public on weekdays 7.45am-4.30pm unless otherwise indicated as per temporary Covid-19 measures.

One person is allowed in the foyer at any given time, but no public allowed into the administration offices for any reason. Please contact the specific person via telephone or email as listed below to arrange for online meetings if necessary.

Reception/all departments: 044 802 2900 ccunningham@george.gov.za or ykibido@george.gov.za

Office of the Director: 044 802 2904 and imlubbe@george.gov.za

Parks and Recreation complaints: 044 802 2921 and bmbondweni@george.gov.za

Uncollected BLACK bags 044 802 2900/20/27 or ymali@george.gov.za / jstuurman@george.gov.za

Uncollected GREEN and BLUE bags: 044 802 2900/ mabotha@george.gov.za / jstuurman@george.gov.za

Environmental Health: anontshikiza@george.gov.za / tabotha@george.gov.za

Transfer Station: edraghoender@george.gov.za

Landfill Site and Transfer Station, Airport Road, open to public weekdays 7am-6pm and Saturdays 7am-1pm. Covid-19 protocols in place, bring your own pen to sign in for extra safety. edraghoender@george.gov.za

Please report illegal dump sites to 044 802 2900 or aapril@george.gov.za or kvstoffels@george.gov.za. The municipality appeals to communities to remain safe and to not dump waste, which is illegal and can be hazardous to their health.

Municipality mourns former mayor Marius Swart

George Municipality mourns the death of former mayor Marius Swart, who died yesterday (17 January 2021) aged 79.

George Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk said the municipality was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Swart who had been mayor of George from December 2000 to April 2004. “Mr Swart served George with excellence as mayor and was an outstanding representative of our city and the southern Cape while serving as a member of Parliament years later. Many current and former officials and councillors have fond memories of serving with him, and his charismatic presence will be remembered fondly.

“The George Municipality Council and Administration extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and share in the grief of their loss.”

The George Municipality’s flag will be flown half-mast in front of the municipal offices in York Street in remembrance.

Update blue and green bags – 18 January 2021

Blue and green bag pick-up services continue inhouse this week with the help of temporarily reallocated staff while distribution of replacement blue and green bags is expected to commence next week (25 January 2021).

George Acting Director Community Services Allen Paulse said the municipality was separating waste as much as possible, even in cases where black bags were currently being used because residents had run out of green and blue bags. “We have noticed that people continue to separate their waste into garden waste and recycling albeit in black bags. Where it is possible to quickly distinguish, workers are leaving such bags behind for the blue and green trucks to pick up – the latter then pick up everything that is left behind to recycle and compost as much of the loads as possible. Citizens can help by identifying black bags containing recyclable and green waste with blue or green string, stickers or papers.

“We expect receipt of blue and green bags sometime this week and plan to distribute two green and two blue bags per household in participating neighbourhoods on refuse collection days from Monday,” said Mr Paulse.

Black bags continue to be distributed once a quarter, with the next pack of 26 black bags to be delivered towards the end of March 2021.

In the meantime the tender process for the appointment of a service provider for the collection and replacement of blue and green bags is underway and we hope to make an appointment as soon as possible.

We remind citizens that bags must be placed outside on the curb by 7am on collection day.

We thank the many households that have continued to participate in the recycling and composting projects, for buying their own bags, and for wanting to reduce waste with us.

The municipality remains committed to waste reduction.

Municipality mourns former mayor Melford Notshokovu

George Municipality mourns the death of former mayor Melford D. Notshokovu, who died on Friday (8 January 2021).

George Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk said it was with deep sorrow that he had heard of the passing of Mr Notshokovu who had been mayor of George during the late 1990s. “Mr Notshokovu’s leadership had been instrumental in the transitioning of the integrated municipality it is today and we honour his contribution to our city and the municipality.

“The George Municipality Council and Administration extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and share in the grief of their loss.”

The George Municipality’s flag will be flown half-mast in front of the municipal offices in York Street in remembrance.

Update blue and green bags

George Municipality hereby confirms that the tender process for the appointment of a service provider for the collection and replacement of blue and green bags is underway and we hope to make an appointment as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the municipality has been trying to provide the service in addition to its own schedule, which we acknowledge has had mixed success due to factors such as unprotected strikes, diminished availability of staff due to Covid-19, limited overtime budget to address backlogs and increased workload associated with three types of bags on top of the summer holiday workload.

We will continue to do our best in current circumstances with the resources available to us and have temporarily reallocated staff from other facilities such as the halls, which are presently closed due to Covid-19, to assist with the collection of blue and green bags.

The municipality apologises and shares citizens’ frustration with inconsistencies in the delivery of the service. We hope to address this relatively soon including the distribution of replacement green and blue bags for participating households.

We thank the many households that have continued to participate in the recycling and composting projects, for buying their own bags, and for wanting to reduce waste with us.

The municipality remains committed to waste reduction.

Dr Michele Gratz
Acting Municipal Manager
George Municipality

Safety warning around dam as alien clearing starts

Alien vegetation clearing above the Garden Route Dam is expected to commence next week (11 January 2020) and public access to certain areas will be restricted for safety reasons.

George Acting Municipal Manager Michele Gratz said the long-awaited project was funded by the Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas (Casidra) and would see the clearing of alien vegetation such as blue gum, pine and wattle around the edges above the dam and upstream rivers. “While essentially aimed at improving water flow and run-off into the catchment area of the dam for water security, the reduction of biofuel also decreases fire risk for nearby residences and plantations,” said Dr Gratz.

“However, while the contractors are on site, we appeal to the public to stay clear of areas that are marked as restricted due to the presence of heavy vehicles and dangerous equipment including woodchippers, chain saws and cutters – not to mention falling trees, snakes and other wildlife disturbed by the temporary commotion.”

The contractor should be on site next week and clearing is expected to take place until February or March, depending on circumstances. Public access to the dam will be restricted depending on where the teams are working and on the kind of equipment and vehicles they are using. Access control will be applied at the main gate to the dam, the dam wall or access roads, whichever is most appropriate. Signage will be applied accordingly.

The first section to be cleared will be the upper edge of the dam, from the dam wall and up the Swart River towards Pepsi Pools and up to the first service road above the dam. As this is a popular cycling and hiking area, an urgent appeal is made to outdoor enthusiasts to stay clear of all plantation and forest terrain, tracks and roads in this vicinity. “While it may be temporarily inconvenient for regular users of the terrain to find alternative outdoor space for a while, the long-term benefits of less invasive species in their natural playground will reap its own rewards.

“While signage will be placed at as many points of access as possible, the area is not fenced, and the municipality will rely on citizens to help spread the word and to warn and discourage people from accessing the area. Ongoing messaging on several municipal communication channels will also take place.

“The municipality thanks residents and visitors for their support and patience during this project. It will be a temporary inconvenience but will provide longer term water security in a changing climatic environment,” said Dr Gratz.

Caption
The area in purple will be cleared of alien vegetation.
(Note the image is for mapping purposes only and not a representation of the current vegetation in the clearing area).

Mayor welcomes new acting MM

George Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk (middle) welcomed the municipality’s Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz (right) and Acting Director Community Services Allan Paulse with elbow bumps on their first day of work today (4 January 2021). The new acting MM is meeting with all directors and relevant senior management this week, which will include assessing the financial effects of Covid-19 on the municipality’s budget and resultant changes required in the municipality’s adjustment budget expected to be tabled later this month (January). Improvement of service delivery will also be high on the agenda.

Fifth Covid-19 death for municipality

George Municipality is saddened by the loss of a fifth staff member from Covid-19.
Tiaan Barnard, aged 41, senior superintendent in the Electroctechnical directorate died on Friday 18 December. He worked for the municipality for 22 years.
George Acting Municipal Manager Steven Erasmus extended the municipality’s condolences to family and loved ones. “We honour his long serving role to the municipality and the people of George as well as his knowledge and skills. He will be sorely missed.”