The Department of Home Affairs and eThekwini Municipality have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline the delivery of government services to communities at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC). The initiative is aimed at formalising the long-standing working relationship that exists between the two parties.

EThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo said he was very pleased that eThekwini has signed the MOU with the Department and said, “The signing of this MOU is a strategic partnership with the National Department of Home Affairs to strengthen intergovernmental relations and enhance service delivery to our people.”

He said the partnership served to enhance service delivery by improving the efficiency of the National Population Registration Campaign Project: “The Municipality will work with local councillors, ward committees and local volunteers to ensure that all citizens born in our Municipality are properly and legally documented. This will ensure that government can plan more effectively and ensure that all government services reach the correct beneficiaries of government services.”

Minister of Home Affairs Melusi Gigaba also explained the technological superiority of the Home Affairs system in combating any individuals with criminal intentions and that since its inception it has never been compromised.

The objective of the MOU is to implement the National Population Registration Campaign (NPRC) which aims to document all citizens to enhance government service delivery targets and planning priorities.

The two parties have agreed to utilise the services of volunteers who will be trained by Home Affairs. The volunteers will be assisting at the help desks, management of queues and by directing the public to correct counters.

Among dignitaries present at the MOU signing were Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Ms Fatima Chohan, KZN MEC for Health, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, eThekiwni’s Chairperson of Governance and Human Resources Committee, Nondumiso Cele and the City’s Executive Committee members.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Home Affairs was originally signed on 17 December 2010 and expired last year in December.

Ends

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Head, Ms Tozi Mthethwa.

For more information contact the Municipal Spokesperson, Mr. Thabo Mofokeng, on 031 311 4820 or 082 731 7456 or e-mail thabo1.mofokeng@durban.gov.za