About Us

The Civic & Ratepayers Association of Enoch Mgijima (CRAEM) is constituted as a non-profit, voluntary, non-political, progressive, and inclusive civil society movement

Our vision

The Civic & Ratepayers Association of Enoch Mgijima (CRAEM) is solution-driven and was formed by a group of community leaders to provide a robust forum to discuss, ensure and promote the concerns of property owners and all those who live and work within the six towns that fall under the ambit of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM): Komani, Tarkastad, Whittlesea, Sterkstroom, Molteno and Hofmeyer.

Our mission

To engage with the EMLM Sector Departments, and interested parties in accordance with our principles and to promote services that are efficient, affordable, reliable and cost effective to ensure every citizen’s right to be accorded social justice, respect, and dignity by the provision of equitable services.

We strive to enhance public safety for all, whereby citizens and business abide by the by laws and whereby Council shall enforce by-laws and the Municipal Systems Act (32 of 2000), including Section 16 which ensures equitable and transparent consultation; and enhance environmental protection, universal access, sustainability and cleanliness in accordance with NEMA.

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Our partners

CRAEM partners with other civic organisations to bring together a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and experience to address promote growth and rejuvenation in the six towns of our local municipality.

Our goals

  • We safeguard citizen’s interests in all municipal services
  • We stimulate public interest in municipal affairs and create pride of citizenship
  • We co-operate with any other association having similar objectives
  • We declare disputes with local authorities in instances when they do not meet reasonable deadlines
  • We encourage and promote a sense of community spirit

Registration number

2023 / 629387 / 08

History of CRAEM

CRAEM is the new name for the Queenstown Ratepayers Association. In August 2022 our new Constitution was adopted and an interim committee was elected at a very successful and well-attended Annual General Meeting.

At that AGM, Dr Tom, the Convenor for the National Cabinet representative (NCR) addressed the public about their investigation into the state of our local municipality’s financial affairs. The Enoch Mgijima Municipality has been placed under administration and is characteristic of a municipality that is dysfunctional and bankrupt, this has resulted in the overall poor service delivery on many fronts, the high rate of crime, and a sense of hopelessness felt by all residents and ratepayers.

Further together.

Simanyene Siyaphambili.