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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 1. What is CityMenderSA?

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CityMenderSA is South Africa’s first no-registration, interactive map, free public civic reporting platform that allows residents to report and track local infrastructure issues such as broken streetlights, potholes, water leaks, and sanitation problems. It is a citizen tool — we do not fix issues, but provide a clear and accessible way to document and track them.

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🔹 2. Does CityMenderSA fix the issues I report?

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No. CityMenderSA does not fix or resolve any reported issues.
We serve as a community-driven tracking tool. You are still responsible for reporting the issue to your municipality or service provider. You can use your municipal reference number when submitting your CityMenderSA report to link both.

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🔹 3. Why should I use CityMenderSA if I still have to report to the municipality?

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Because CityMenderSA helps you:

  • Track and update your reported issues in one place

  • Keep a personal record and history of your submissions

  • View all community reports on an interactive map

  • Identify trends and hotspots (e.g. frequent water pipe bursts, neglected areas)

  • Create a public record that strengthens accountability and transparency

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CityMenderSA also benefits municipalities and ward councillors by:

  • Providing a centralised view of reported issues by category and location

  • Helping prioritise high-impact or high-frequency areas

  • Reducing duplicated reports and confusion

  • Giving councillors real-time insights into what matters to residents

  • Supporting data-driven planning, reporting, and community engagement

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Data is critical in our current world, and CityMenderSA is a tool that gives South Africans this. Residents, community organisations, councillors, local, and provincial government will learn how they can use the data to benefit them and will adapt as they use CityMenderSA. The more people use it, the stronger the system becomes for both residents and local government.

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🔹 4. Is it free to use?

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Yes. CityMenderSA is 100% free for public use. No subscriptions, no accounts needed.

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🔹 5. Do I need to create an account or log in?

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No. You don’t need to log in or register to use CityMenderSA. It’s designed to be quick, simple, and accessible to everyone.

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🔹 6. What kinds of issues can I report?

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Currently, we support reports under the following categories:

  • Streetlights (e.g. broken fittings, poles, cable theft, lights on during the day)

  • Water Leaks (e.g. pipe bursts, meter damage)

  • Waste & Sanitation (e.g. blocked drains, sewerage spills, illegal dumping)

  • Roads & Potholes (e.g. potholes, sinkholes, faded markings, broken signs)

More categories may be added in future updates.

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🔹 7. How do I report an issue?

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  1. Go to www.citymendersa.co.za

  2. Open the interactive map

  3. Drop a pin on the map or search your address

  4. Select the issue type and add details

  5. (Optional) Add your municipal reference number

  6. Submit and receive a CityMenderSA reference number

You can watch our easy step-by-step guide on YouTube here.

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🔹 8. Can I track or update my report later?

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Yes! Use your CityMenderSA reference number to:

  • View the report status

  • Add updates or additional information

  • See if other users have reported the same issue

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🔹 9. Who can see my reports?

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All infrastructure reports (excluding personal data) are publicly visible on the CityMenderSA interactive map to promote transparency and civic accountability.

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🔹 10. Is my personal information safe?

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Yes. We are fully POPIA-compliant. You are not required to share personal information, and if you do, it is stored securely and never sold or shared without consent. See our full Privacy Policy.

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🔹 11. Can CityMenderSA reports be used for ward meetings or activism?

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Absolutely. The platform was built with community leaders and is already being piloted by groups like the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA). The data and maps can support petitions, presentations, or civic campaigns.

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🔹 12. Can I report anonymously?

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Yes. You can report an issue without entering your name or contact information. If you choose to include contact details, it allows us to follow up if necessary, but it’s entirely optional.

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🔹 13. Who developed CityMenderSA?

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CityMenderSA was developed by a University of KwaZulu-Natal student in collaboration with civic leaders, community organisations, and tech partners passionate about transparent, grassroots solutions. Our first rollout partner is the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA), and we urge others to join.

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🔹 14. Is CityMenderSA a government project? How is it funded?

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No, CityMenderSA is an independent South African startup, built by a student and developed in partnership with community leaders. We are not affiliated with any government department or municipality.

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Our platform was created to empower residents with a simple, transparent way to report and track infrastructure issues in their communities. To remain accessible and free to the public, CityMenderSA runs entirely through donations and community support.

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🔹 15. I have an idea or suggestion. How can I get in touch?

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We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at:
📧 enquiries@citymendersa.co.za - For general enquiries about CityMenderSA

📧 support@citymendersa.co.za - For support on any issues, make sure to confirm the reference number

📧 feedback@citymendersa.co.za - For feedback, let us know your ideas to improve the service
🌐 Or use our let's chat feature on the bottom left of your screen, make sure to leave your contact details.

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