The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has removed a contentious billboard that depicted municipality officials, including Mayor Cyril Xaba, alongside the phrase "water tanker mafia." The billboard, part of the DA's campaign for the November 4 local government elections, criticized the ANC-led municipality's handling of the water crisis. It read: "You can stop the water tanker mafia. Vote DA for water in your taps." The removal comes after the officials threatened to take the party to court.
The officials objected to the wording, saying it was defamatory and implied they were linked to criminal conduct. Their lawyers sent a letter of demand to the DA, prompting the party to remove the billboard. The municipality confirmed the removal, welcoming the decision and stating that those serving the city should be allowed to discharge their responsibilities with their integrity intact. The billboard was erected along the N2 near Newlands East as part of the DA's campaign.
The DA's eThekwini mayoral candidate, Haniff Hoosen, had earlier insisted that the party would not take the billboard down. He defended the message, saying the municipality's handling of the water crisis was a legitimate political issue and residents had a right to hold those in power accountable. Hoosen expressed disappointment with the removal, stating that the City had chosen to fight a billboard rather than spending money on fixing the pipes.
The DA maintained that the billboard did not allege the officials were members of a mafia but sought to hold them accountable for the city's worsening water crisis and growing reliance on tankers. The party emphasized that the term "water tanker mafia" was associated with tanker service providers accused of sabotaging the city's water infrastructure. The municipality has acknowledged challenges with its water infrastructure and said it was implementing measures to stabilize supply across the city.
Mayor Cyril Xaba addressed the media, stating that the municipality was procuring its own water tankers and hiring more plumbers to fix leaks. The municipality is under intense scrutiny as parties jostle for control of the metro. The DA's campaign centered on criticizing the ANC-led municipality's handling of the water crisis, highlighting the city's reliance on water tankers.
The removal of the billboard follows a series of developments in the lead-up to the local government elections. The DA's decision to remove the billboard was seen as a significant move, as it acknowledged the potential for the phrase "water tanker mafia" to be perceived as defamatory. The party's campaign strategy focused on holding the municipality accountable for the water crisis, but the approach was met with resistance from the officials.
The eThekwini Municipality's water crisis has been a pressing issue, with the city facing challenges in providing adequate water supply to its residents. The municipality's efforts to stabilize the water supply and address the challenges facing its infrastructure will likely be a key factor in the upcoming local government elections. The DA's removal of the billboard marks a significant development in the campaign, as the party seeks to balance its criticism of the municipality with the need to avoid alienating voters.
Key points
- The DA removed the billboard after officials threatened legal action, citing defamation and implications of criminal conduct.
- The municipality acknowledged challenges with its water infrastructure and is implementing measures to stabilize supply.
- The DA's campaign centered on criticizing the ANC-led municipality's handling of the water crisis.
