Final Adopted IDP - KZN Development Planning

CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA
The St Francis Cemetery in Ward 8 and the Ntukwini Cemetery in Ward 18 of the Ulundi
Municipality have both recently been upgraded and fenced; however, in both cases the
palisade fencing has been vandalised and is in need of repair. A cemetery has been
developed next to the Mahlabathini School (known as the Mahlabathini Cemetery);
however, making use of this facility is difficult and an access road is needed. Given the
impact of the HIV / AIDS pandemic, among other factors, it is important that the
Municipality identify suitable land that can be developed for use as cemeteries.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
In recent times both internationally and locally there has been an increase in the
occurrence of disasters that have affected the lives and property of numerous
households; consequently, it is important that the Ulundi Municipality be in a position to
deal with them in an effective manner. Within the structure of the Directorate:
Protection Services the Municipality has established a fire and rescue service; however,
due to capacity constraints (both human and equipment), the service rendered by the
Municipality is limited to the urban areas, in particular the town of Ulundi. The fire
truck is limited in its capacity to access rural communities and in terms of its water
storage. In addition, the fire officials are not properly equipped with protective
clothing and breathing apparatus.
The Ulundi Municipality adopted a basic disaster management plan in April 2003 while
the Zululand District Municipality developed a disaster management sector plan in March
2004. Both of these plans are out of date and, as a consequence, the District
Municipality and the Municipality embarked on separate but interrelated processes to
develop updated disaster management plans during the course of the 2011 / 2012
financial year. The District Municipality‟s disaster management centre is located at the
municipal airport situated on the P700; with the imminent return of the airport to full
operational status, the disaster management centre will need to be relocated.
Whenever a disaster occurs within the service area of the Municipality, the Directorate:
Protection Services‟ role is to investigate the occurrence and determine the extent of
the damage caused. A report is prepared and submitted to the District Municipality for
further action. Linked in with this process is the engagement of the Department of
Social Development which is responsible for providing tents, blankets, food parcels and
other survival necessities required by those affected by the disaster.
The Municipality has embarked upon a process to develop a Level 1 Disaster Risk
Management Plan which has been completed and awaits consideration and approval by the
Council.
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