Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality (KZN276)

Municipality

Area: Area: 3 470km² | MDB Code: | MDB code: KZN276

Physical Address

Lot 808, Off Masson Street, Hlabisa

Postal: PO Box 387, Hlabisa, 3937

Contact Details

Phone: 035 838 8500

Accounts: 035 838 8500
znmpanza@big5hlabisa.gov.za

Website: Visit Website

Facebook: Facebook Page

Electricity: 071 428 3591

Refuse & Waste: 035 838 8500
mbshange@big5hlabisa.gov.za

Roads: 076 432 9980
directortech@big5hlabisa.gov.za

Service Delivery: 079 455 8336
mjele@big5hlabisa.gov.za

Water: 072 690 6243

🌐 Visit Municipality Website 📞 Call Municipality 📘 Facebook Page 🗺️ Get Directions 🗺️ View Full Map

Operating Hours

WORKING HOURS
Monday	08:30 – 16:00
Tuesday	08:30 – 16:00
Wednesday	08:30 – 16:00
Thursday	08:30 – 16:00
Friday	08:30 – 15:15
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

* Closed on Public Holidays

About Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality (KZN276)

Description: The Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality is a Category B municipality situated within the uMkhanyakude District in northern KwaZulu-Natal. It is one of four municipalities in the district, making up a quarter of its geographical area. It was established by the amalgamation of The Big 5 False Bay and Hlabisa Local Municipalities in August 2016. Easily accessible off the N2 National Route, it incorporates part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park) and is the starting point of the MR4 (LSDI Corridor), which links Hluhluwe to Mozambique. The town of Hluhluwe, which contains major shopping and light servicing facilities, as well as the municipal offices, services the municipality. A large proportion of the land is used for agriculture and game lodge activities and is sparsely settled. The north-eastern parts of the municipality are occupied by fairly densely settled rural traditional communities (Makhasa, Mnqobokasi and Nibela). A major drawcard is the tourism industry centred on the Hluhluwe-uMfolozi Game Reserve, located 280km north of Durban and the oldest proclaimed park in Africa. It consists of 960km² of hilly topography in central Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. The park is the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal where all the Big Five game occur. Due to conservation efforts, the park now has the largest population of white rhino in the world. Cities/Towns: Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, Ingwavuma, Jozini, Mbazwana, Mkuze, Mtubatuba, St Lucia

ℹ️ Important Notice

This page provides informational guidance only for Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality (KZN276). For official confirmation of municipal services, leadership, and contact details, always verify through the municipality’s official website: big5hlabisa.gov.za. Additional verified information is available at www.gov.za.

Cities and Towns

Cities/Towns: Hlabisa, Hluhluwe

Cities and Towns Served by Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality (KZN276) Municipality

Hlabisa Municipality Hluhluwe Municipality

This municipality provides services and support to the areas listed above. For official municipal information, visit the official municipality website.

Municipal Leadership

Mayor: Mr CT Khumalo (IFP)

Deputy Mayor: Ms Hlengiwe Nkosi (IFP)

Speaker: BW Shangase (IFP)

Chief Whip: n/a

Municipal Manager: Mr LMV Cele

Chief Financial Officer: Mr JM Nkosi

Other Council: IFP

Other Council:

Ms Ndwandwe

Mr TN Ngema

Mr FZ Nkwanyane

LL Ntshangase

Senior Management:

Ms CN Danisa (Director: Corporate Sevices)

Mr TA Dlamini (Technical, Planning and Infrastructure)

Mr S Khumalo (Manager: Local Economic Development)

Ms S Mchunu (Manager: Expenditure)

Mr BN Ngwane (Manager: Human Rescources)

Mr MP Phakathi (Manager: Financial Expenditure)

Mrs LN Phakathi (Deputy Director: Office of the MM)

Mr MB Shange (Director: Community Services)

Communications Officers: Mr MS Jele (Deputy Director: Community Services)

Demographic Information

Age Structure
	2022	2016	2011
Population	131 755	116 622	107 147
Population under 15	34.9%	40.3%	40.1%
Population 15 to 64	59.8%	55.6%	55.2%
Population over 65	5.3%	4.2%	4.7%
Dependency Ratio
Per 100 (15-64)	67.2	79.9	81.1
Sex Ratio
Males per 100 females	86.2	88.2	85.6
Population Growth
Per annum	2.01%	1.93%	n/a
Labour Market
Unemployment rate (official)	n/a	n/a	n/a
Youth unemployment rate (official) 15-34	n/a	n/a	n/a
Education (aged 20 +)
No schooling	16.3%	14.7%	23.3%
Matric	n/a	31.2%	25.4%
Higher education	5.1%	7.1%	3.7%
Household Dynamics
Households	23 136	25 255	20 567
Average household size	5.7	4.6	5.2
Female headed households	n/a	55.5%	56.2%
Formal dwellings	91.6%	70.2%	71.1%
Housing owned	n/a	85.6%	36.7%
Household Services
Flush toilet connected to sewerage	20.3%	9.5%	16.0%
Weekly refuse removal	17.3%	1.6%	10.4%
Piped water inside dwelling	20.0%	11.0%	16.7%
Electricity for lighting	95.1%	70.1%	50.4%

Financial Information

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
All values: R’000	2024/25	2023/24	2022/23	2021/22	2020/21
AUDIT OUTCOME	n/a	Financially unqualified	Financially unqualified	Financially unqualified	Financially unqualified
Property rates	29 094	27 401	24 694	25 319	27 516
Service charges	2 275	2 179	2 126	2 158	2 328
Investment revenue	9 974	9 647	6 161	2 769	1 575
Transfers recognised – operational	164 658	156 899	146 819	152 637	193 106
Other own revenue	10 657	5 565	9 064	3 080	4 590
Total Revenue (excluding capital transfers and contributions)	216 659	201 690	188 863	185 963	229 115
Employee costs	90 250	86 281	84 908	83 198	80 759
Remuneration of councillors	11 348	10 467	9 108	8 328	7 262
Depreciation and amortisation	18 206	17 259	18 062	19 114	28 686
Finance charges	1 641	1 477	1 213	917	752
Inventory consumed and bulk purchases	–	–	–	–	–
Transfers and subsidies	4 850	3 259	2 033	1 498	2 353
Other expenditure	95 539	87 650	73 168	83 119	95 019
Total Expenditure	221 835	206 393	188 492	196 173	214 832
Surplus/(Deficit)	(5 175)	(4 703)	371	(10 210)	14 283
Transfers and subsidies – capital (monetary allocations)	24 436	30 668	28 568	39 895	27 800
Transfers and subsidies – capital (in-kind)	–	532	156	–	111
Surplus/(Deficit) after capital transfers & contributions	19 261	26 497	29 095	29 685	42 195
Share of surplus/(deficit) of associate	–	–	–	–	–
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year	19 261	26 497	29 095	29 685	42 195
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE & FUNDS SOURCES
Capital expenditure	485 023	457 295	405 197	381 878	346 869
Transfers recognised – capital	71 748	77 913	68 512	65 293	53 163
Borrowing	–	–	–	–	–
Internally generated funds	299 266	282 118	240 153	224 573	211 491
Total sources of capital funds	371 014	360 031	308 665	289 865	264 654
FINANCIAL POSITION
Total current assets	132 444	121 119	112 045	94 637	90 150
Total non current assets	280 065	267 487	248 790	241 732	277 750
Total current liabilities	30 188	28 582	29 361	34 343	38 973
Total non current liabilities	16 781	13 745	11 700	10 963	6 517
Community wealth/Equity	346 279	319 781	290 679	261 378	280 215
CASH FLOWS
Net cash from (used) operating	(22 784)	18 226	1 277	93 465	26 450
Net cash from (used) investing	1 556	20 983	20 107	19 643	1 500
Net cash from (used) financing	–	–	–	10	44
Cash/cash equivalents at the year end	47 129	120 252	86 115	163 475	27 994
UNAUTHORISED, IRREGULAR, FRUITLESS & WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE
Unauthorised expenditure	n/a	2 649	1 250	230 033	44 749
Irregular expenditure	n/a	1 016	7 024	7 264	8 837
Fruitless & wasteful expenditure	n/a	1	0	3 716	318
SOURCE	Audited Outcome A1 2026 Q1	Audited Outcome A1 2026 Q1	Audited Outcome A1 2026 Q1	Audited Outcome A1 2024	Audited Outcome A1 2023

Municipal Services

Water
	2022/23	2021/22	2020/21	2019/20	2018/19
Does the municipality provide?	No	No	No	No	No
Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided	0	0	0	0	0
Number of domestic households/delivery points	0	0	0	0	0
Inside the yard	0	0	0	0	0
Less than 200m from yard	0	0	0	0	0
More than 200m from yard	0	0	0	0	0
Domestic households with access to free basic service	0	0	0	0	0
Electricity
Does the municipality provide?	No	No	No	No	No
Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided	15 528	15 528	15 054	14 653	13 621
Domestic households with access to free basic service	663	474	401	162	700
Sewerage and Sanitation
Does the municipality provide?	No	No	No	No	No
Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided	0	0	0	0	0
Number of households using:
Flush toilet – public sewerage	0	0	0	0	0
Flush toilet – septic tank	0	0	0	0	0
Ventilated pit latrine	0	0	0	0	0
Bucket system	0	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0	0
Domestic households with access to free basic service	0	0	0	0	0
Solid Waste Services
Does the municipality provide?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided	1 060	1 060	1 060	1 060	1 060
Domestic households with access to free basic service	0	0	0	0	0

Water

072 690 6243

Electricity

071 428 3591

Refuse and Waste

035 838 8500
mbshange@big5hlabisa.gov.za

Roads

076 432 9980
directortech@big5hlabisa.gov.za

Service Delivery

079 455 8336
mjele@big5hlabisa.gov.za

Municipality Map

Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality (KZN276) map

Frequently Asked Questions

Tshepo Shekeshe

I visited the Licensing Department today at 13:30 to renew my licence disc and was turned away by Security, who claimed the office was already closed due to long queues. Being turned away at 13:30 is completely unacceptable and absurd, especially for a public service office meant to serve the community. There was no clear communication, no proper queue management, and no consideration for members of the public who make time during working hours to be assisted. This reflects very poor service delivery and a lack of accountability.

Pleasantly surprised at how efficient the process today was compared to what I remember it being. I was in and out in just about an hour. Arrived at 07:20, walked out by 08:20. I had all my required documents, copies andforms filled out before hand. The staff were friendly.

Given Savage

Poor service

Don M

Arrived an hour early for my booked time slot. Waited and hour past that to be assisted. If you are renewing your driver's license and you don't have your eye test done beforehand, you will sit and wait for everyone who has an eye test to be assisted first, no matter what time anyone booked. Come with an eye test. One lady asked if it would be better to leave and go get an eye test and then come back, the man said yes. When I asked the man if we would have to wait for those with tests to be finished before being assisted he got VERY defensive and refused to answer. Apparently the request for communication is offensive to this poor little man's ego. But miraculously then those of us without the test were finally assisted. I am actively sitting and watching this same man berate a poor woman for something, beyond rude and actually completely unacceptable, even aggressively opening and slamming the door. He's on a power trip. The lady who ended up assisting me was good. But all in all, terrible.

Mamta Mithal

Had an 08:40 confirmed appointment to renew my drivers license. Was advised by the licensing office to get there an hour early. Got there at 07:30. Waited in line for 1 hour and 10 minutes, got to the eye testing machine at 08:40 on the dot and was back in my car by 09:10. Seriously not as bad as I was expecting it to be. Special kudos goes out to Tshepo Dipholo who took my test and photo and got me to the cashier quick sticks while fillowing strict and thorough sanitising protocols for all the equipment I touched. Also such a courteous and friendly guy. I'm shocked to be giving such a high rating but it really wasn't too bad. They could do better with sign posting, communication and queue management inside the building but all things considered, this wasn't a bad experience at all. Go there like you're on a mission, be tough, don't get pushed around, speak up (respectfully) and you'll get done quick.

nonthuthuko locardia mahaole

Must give credit where its due. While the place needs obvious maintenance. The process was seamless, I got there way before my appointment time and had 7 or more people in front of me, yet I was out in less than an hour. Well done to the guys, all were super happy to help even though it was the afternoon around lunch time.

Tumi M

I am only rating this because I couldn’t select 0. Randburg License Department what is the purpose of booking a slot if I will end up waiting in the queue for hours on end? It is things like this that make public service offices and departments a drag for most South Africans. You guys need to do better especially with the service. Other branches thrive on giving their patrons good service. Really a wasted opportunity especially given that our lives don’t revolve around your incompetency.