“We Will Fight This”: Mobeni Heights Residents Reject Ward Boundary Changes That Could Hit Services and Property Values

A storm is brewing in Mobeni Heights as residents, many of them pensioners are rallying against a proposed ward boundary change that they say could dismantle their community, downgrade local service access, and devalue their homes.

The proposal, which seeks to redraw parts of Ward 69 and merge them with the neighbouring Lamontville area, has sparked outrage from residents who say they were never formally notified, and only learned about the plan through social media and WhatsApp groups.

Elderly residents lead the charge: “We just want to die in peace”

At the forefront of the resistance is 84-year-old Mumsy Govender, a revered community leader and founding member of the Mobeni Heights Women’s Group and senior citizens club. Speaking passionately, Govender described how more than 100 elderly residents signed formal objections.

“We were not informed. We just heard about it on WhatsApp. This is not acceptable. We will march. We will carry our placards to the mayor,” she said.
“We are old. We just want to die in peace. But now we are forced to fight.”

For Govender and many others, the core issue is not only the lack of consultation, but the fear of being pushed into a different service network one that may be harder to access and less equipped for their needs.

Concerns over access and dignity

Residents fear the proposed redistricting would shift key services such as clinics, police stations, and Home Affairs offices to Lamontville, a move that would require more travel, increase public transport costs, and pose a safety risk, particularly for the elderly.

Dhayalan Moodley, 76, who has lived in Mobeni Heights for 55 years, described the proposal as “unsettling”.

“This affects our day-to-day lives our clinics, police services, even where we vote. We will not be silent,” Moodley said.

Property value and community identity at stake

Residents aren’t just concerned about services. Many, like schoolteacher Milly Langa, say they intentionally chose to buy in Mobeni Heights because of its safety, strong civic engagement, and suburban charm.

“We didn’t choose Lamontville, Chesterville, or Umlazi for a reason,” she said.
“We worked hard to build this community. We have neighbourhood watches, civic groups, and order. This boundary change feels like an insult.”

She added that the property values in Mobeni Heights have already declined, and further association with areas perceived to have poorer service delivery or higher crime could make things worse.

While the eThekwini Municipality has not publicly responded in detail to the objections, residents say they are prepared to escalate the matter through formal protests, petitions, and, if necessary, legal action.

The Mobeni Heights Civic Association has mobilised quickly, organising forums, gathering signatures, and promising to take their objections directly to the mayor’s office.

There’s a broader concern here too—about transparency, consultation, and respect. Many residents feel blindsided, with zero public meetings or letters sent to homeowners prior to the proposal deadline.

“We are not statistics. We are not just a few streets on a map,” said Moodley. “We are a community. And we will not be erased without a fight.”

Residents have until the end of this month to submit formal objections to the Municipal Demarcation Board. For more information or to sign the petition, contact [email protected] or visit the Mobeni Heights Civic Association Facebook page.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com