The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has informed more than half of its sitting councillors that they will not return as ward candidates after the November local government elections. This decision has sparked anger and concern among the affected councillors, who claim they were given no reasons for their exclusion. One DA councillor in Durban expressed his disappointment, stating that he had worked hard in his ward for years, passed performance tests, and met fundraising targets for the party.
DA KwaZulu-Natal leader Sithembiso Ngema has rejected allegations that councillors were treated unfairly, stating that no councillor is automatically entitled to return after completing a five-year term. Ngema explained that councillors serve a five-year term, after which they need to reapply, and that this is a fair system that applies to everyone. He added that those unhappy with the outcome can approach the party's ombudsman to appeal the decision.
However, another sitting DA councillor expressed concerns that councillors are reluctant to use internal channels to appeal the decision, fearing they will be labelled troublemakers. The councillor stated that once you speak out in the DA, you have a target on your back, and that there is no guarantee they will be brought back, leaving many without jobs after all their hard work.
DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen has played down concerns that councillors who were not selected as ward candidates will disappear from local government. Hoosen stated that many could return to serve through other positions on councils, bringing experience that will be needed. He added that some councillors failed to perform and will not be brought back, and that they must accept this decision.
With less than six weeks to go before the November 4 local government elections, political parties are finalizing their candidates and intensifying campaigns for control of municipalities across the country. eThekwini remains one of the country's most fiercely contested metros, with water cuts, infrastructure failures, and service delivery emerging as central campaign issues.
Nationally, the number of parties contesting the elections has increased sharply, with 547 political parties contesting this year compared with 325 in the 2021 local government elections. The candidate-selection process has also caused turmoil in other parties, with 2,274 prospective candidates linked to 45 political parties captured on the Electoral Commission of South Africa's online nomination system, but not finally submitted before the August 28 deadline.
The ANC was among the parties affected, with 181 of its prospective candidates caught up in the submission dispute. As the elections approach, parties are preparing for a tough contest, with the MK Party emerging as a frontrunner to secure an outright majority in eThekwini's upcoming local government elections, prompting rival parties to brace for a challenging campaign.
Key points
- The DA has dropped over half of its sitting councillors in eThekwini ahead of the November local government elections.
- The decision has sparked concerns among affected councillors, who claim they were given no reasons for their exclusion.
- The DA has stated that councillors who were not selected as ward candidates may still return to serve through other positions on councils.
