The Democratic Alliance (DA) has refused to retract or apologize for a billboard featuring eThekwini Municipality leaders, despite threats of legal action. The billboard, unveiled earlier this month, shows Mayor Cyril Xaba, City Manager Musa Mbhele, and Executive Director: Water and Sanitation Ednick Msweli, alongside the statement "YOU CAN STOP THE WATER TANKER MAFIA". The ANC has demanded an apology and retraction, citing implications of the leaders' involvement in organized crime.
A lawyer's letter sent to the DA states that the billboard expressly implicates and identifies the eThekwini leaders as part of a mafia, implying their involvement in unethical and dishonest conduct. The letter demands that the billboard be withdrawn and a public apology issued within 24 hours, warning of High Court action if not complied with. The DA, however, remains defiant, with Haniff Hoosen, DA eThekwini Mayoral Candidate, stating that the leaders are responsible for ensuring the city's water system works.
Hoosen clarified that the billboard does not allege that Xaba, Mbhele, and Msweli are members of a mafia, but rather holds them accountable for the infrastructure collapse that has allowed tanker dependence to flourish. He pointed out that under their leadership, the city has become increasingly reliant on water tankers, with about 13,000 active leaks wasting 21 billion liters of drinking water every month. Hoosen called on the officials to focus on fixing the pipes instead of using public resources to fight the billboard.
The eThekwini municipality has been facing a severe water crisis, with residents relying heavily on water tankers. The DA's billboard is seen as an attempt to highlight the issue and hold the ruling party accountable. However, the ANC has seized on the opportunity to demand an apology and retraction, accusing the DA of trying to influence the upcoming local elections.
The billboard has sparked a heated debate, with many residents expressing concern over the city's water crisis and the perceived blame-shifting between parties. The DA's stance has been seen as a bold move, with Hoosen stating that the party will not be intimidated by threats of legal action. The party has maintained that the billboard is a legitimate campaign tactic, aimed at highlighting the city's water woes.
The city's water crisis has been a long-standing issue, with residents facing frequent water shortages and disruptions. The eThekwini municipality has been working to address the issue, but progress has been slow. The DA's billboard has brought renewed attention to the issue, with many residents calling for urgent action to fix the city's water infrastructure.
The legal threat against the DA is the latest development in a series of pre-election skirmishes between the parties. With the 2026 local government elections approaching, tensions are running high, and parties are vying for attention and support. The outcome of the DA's defiance and the eThekwini leaders' threat of legal action remains to be seen.
Key points
- The DA has refused to retract or apologize for a billboard implying eThekwini leaders' involvement in a "water tanker mafia".
- The billboard has sparked a heated debate over the city's water crisis and accountability.
- The DA's stance has been seen as a bold move, aimed at highlighting the city's water woes ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
