During the next few weeks leading up to the start of the fire season, we urge communities to be more vigilant and not to start unnecessary fires particularly during dry days.

People are also asked to remove unnecessary rubble on their properties which can pose a serious fire risk and houses next to grasslands need to ensure that there are sufficient fire breaks between their properties and the grasslands.

Residents should cut back overhanging tree branches close to their properties and also clean their gutters as leaves that end up in gutters can pose a fire risk.

People must also ensure that they have the contact details of their local fire authorities at hand should there be a fire emergency.

The Overstrand Municipality is a creature of statue and operates within a constitutional framework as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution) - the supreme law of the country;

The Municipality has the right to govern, on its own initiative, the local government affairs of its community, subject to national and provincial legislation, as is provided for in Section 151(3) of the Constitution and Section 4(1)(a) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, No 32 of 2001 (Systems Act);

The Municipality has executive and legislative authority in respect of, and has the right to administer, the matters provided for in Sections 156(1) and 229 of the Constitution, Sections 8 and 11 of the Systems Act and Section 83(1) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, No 117 of 1998 (Structures Act);

Overstrand Municipality started a process of verification of the housing waiting list on 1 November 2018 whereby citizens in need of government subsidised housing opportunity must ensure all existing information is correct and updated or register as a first time applicant.

A number of 8 201 applicants were registered on the database on 31 October 2018, but the information of individual beneficiaries may be out-dated, for example changes in income, number of financial dependents, change of address, etc. 

The Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) household income limit increased in July 2018 from R15,000 to R22,000 and it therefore creates an opportunity for more citizens to register/verify their information.

The municipal offices in the Overstrand area, including libraries and pay-points,  will be CLOSED on Monday 24 December 2018 and Monday 31 December 2018 and respectively RE-OPEN at 07:45 on Thursday 27 December 2018, and Thursday 3 January 2019.

Emergency and essential services such as refuse collection, electricity and water services will not be affected.