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Manzini Municipality Wishes All Citizens Safe Easter Holidays

…those who will be away are encouraged to ensure safety of their properties

The Municipal Council of Manzini takes this opportunity to wish all citizens of the city safe Easter holidays. As per the norm, some citizens will most likely be travelling to various destinations for purposes of worship, holiday or to pay their relatives and friends a visit. The Municipality encourages them to ensure safety and security of their residences whilst away. It is important that you leave someone to guard your property whilst away. Information from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is that nowadays crime occurs even during daytime. Therefore, it is important that there is someone left to guard the house even when you will only be away during the day. Citizens are also urged to store garden tools in a safe and securely locked storeroom so that they are not easily accessible to thieves. According to the REPS, thieves usually use tools that they find lying idle in the yard to break into the house. It is also important that there is enough lighting in and around one’s residence as darkness makes it easy for thieves. In the event that your nearest high mast light or streetlight is not functioning, please contact the Municipality’s 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000) so that measures can be made to have it attended to. Furthermore, citizens are urged to ensure that there is no overgrowth within their properties as it usually provides a hiding spot for thieves.

Owners of undeveloped plots are also urged to remove overgrown vegetation from their properties for purposes of safety of neighbouring residents.  On another note, citizens are advised not to leave the garage door open; whether or not they are within the residence. Thieves easily notice that you are not home when the garage door is left open. It is also important to inform your neighbour that you will be away so that they swiftly raise an alarm in the event that they notice something amiss within your property. You may also share your contact details with your neighbour so that they inform you when they notice something suspicious. It also helps to inform the REPS that you will be away so that, resources permitting, they may drive past your residence from time to time. According to the police, it is also advisable to keep receipts of all your valuables in a safe place as well as to know the serial number of your gadget. This helps easily identify them in the event they are recovered after being stolen.

…BE FRIENDLY TO VISITORS

The Municipal Council of Manzini encourages residents to be welcoming and friendly to visitors during and after the Easter holidays. It is important that visitors return to their respective countries with good memories of the city so that they may spread a good word of the municipality. That would encourage other tourists (local and international) to consider visiting the city in future. It might also inspire potential investors to open businesses in the city; resulting in the creation of jobs for residents. Whenever a visitor asks for directions or any other form of assistance whilst in Manzini, please assist them.

… LET THERE BE NO NOISE

The Municipal Council of Manzini appeals for peace and quiet during the Easter holidays. Some citizens will be utilising the holidays for rest. Citizens are urged to respect their neighbours and desist from playing loud music at unreasonable levels. Churches are also urged to ensure the noise level is kept at the minimum during Easter services, particularly in the evening. Some churches are located within residential areas hence the importance of them being sensitive to the discomfort suffered by neighbours as a result of high noise levels. Citizens are urged to contact the Municipality through its 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000) to report noise.

…END OF FINANCIAL YEAR. A BIG THANK YOU TO RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE PAID

Today marks the end of the 2020/2021 financial year and the expectation is that all property taxes (rates) due to the Municipality should have been paid by now. The Municipality would like to express appreciation to all property owners; residential, commercial and urban farms, who have made it a point that they pay all the due rates against all odds. Some paid the lump sum whilst others opted to pay in instalments. That is appreciated. Payment of rates is of paramount importance if the city is to enjoy quality municipal services. The Municipality also notes that some ratepayers have not been able to pay in full. Others have not paid at all. Those are encouraged to make means to pay as soon as possible. Alternatively they can approach the Collector of Rates for arrangements to be made. New rates bills for the new financial year are expected sometime in April 2021. Property owners are encouraged to pay as soon as they receive their bills so that, as per its strategic mission, the Municipality can be able “To provide quality municipal services that add value to all our customers through good governance and partnering with relevant stakeholders”.

…RATES PAYMENT METHODS

In an effort to make rates payment simpler and quicker, the Municipal Council of Manzini offers the following rates payment methods property owners. Property owners are encouraged to make use of them…