Now Hillcrest can pay council bills on weekends

RESIDENTS of Hillcrest will now be able to do their municipal business on the first and last Saturdays of every month at the  Sizakala Customer Centre.

It opened its doors to ratepayers recently on the first and last Saturday of the month to enable residents to do all their municipal business such as paying accounts, electricity and water connections and disconnections, building plans, and rate queries under one roof.

Head of Regional Centres Unit, Gerard Strydom, said the municipality was committed to service excellence and to bringing services closer to the people of eThekwini.

He said the Sizakala Customer Centre has been in operation in Hillcrest for some time, but not enough people were aware of the services provided there.

"By opening on Saturdays, we hope that we could meet the needs of the community and extend our services by making the centre more accessible," said Lungi Khuzwayo, the western area manager.

"If there is a good turnout of customers using the centre on a Saturday, then the unit will consider opening every Saturday for the convenience of the customers," she added.

Khuzwayo and her staff were at Hillcrest Corner on Saturday 29 January, marketing the Hillcrest Sizakala Centre and also informing the public about the new opening times.

Shoppers at the centre in general said they were excited about the new opening times and it would be convenient for those ratepayers who work  during the weekdays.

The Sizakala Customer Centre is based at 22 Delamore Road, Hillcrest and is open from 7.30am to 3.30pm on weekdays and from 7.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays.

For general municipal complaints, enquiries and information call the hotline on 0800 331 011 or e-mail sizakala@durban.gov.za