The Democratic Alliance's billboard, which was put up in the run-up to the local government elections, was taken down on Friday, 02 October. The billboard featured an image of a water tanker and the words "water tanker mafia". The eThekwini Municipality had taken umbrage with the billboard, saying it was defamatory and damaging to the city's reputation. Mayor Cyril Xaba wrote to the DA, demanding that the billboard be removed or face legal action.
The DA had put up several billboards across the city, criticizing what they claimed was the ANC-led municipality's failure to provide adequate water services to residents. The party said the billboards were intended to highlight the issue of water scarcity in the city and the perceived failures of the municipality in addressing it. However, the eThekwini Municipality saw it as an attack on its reputation and took swift action.
The removal of the billboard has been seen as a victory for the eThekwini Municipality, which has been under pressure to improve its service delivery. The municipality has been experiencing challenges with water supply, particularly in areas that are prone to drought. Residents have been experiencing frequent water shortages, and the municipality has been working to upgrade its infrastructure to address the issue.
The DA has been vocal in its criticism of the ANC-led government, particularly on issues related to service delivery. The party has accused the government of failing to provide adequate services to residents, particularly in the areas of water, sanitation, and electricity. The billboard was seen as part of this broader narrative of criticism.
The eThekwini Municipality has been working to improve its services, particularly in the area of water supply. The municipality has invested in new infrastructure, including water treatment plants and pipelines, to improve the supply of water to residents. The municipality has also been working to reduce water losses and improve its billing systems.
The DA's decision to remove the billboard has been seen as a positive step, as it will help to reduce tensions between the party and the municipality. The party has been working to improve its relations with the municipality, particularly in the run-up to the local government elections. The removal of the billboard is seen as a gesture of goodwill.
The local government elections are set to take place on 03 November, and all parties are gearing up for a fierce campaign. The DA and the ANC are expected to be major players in the elections, and the campaign is expected to be intense. The removal of the billboard is seen as a minor skirmish in the broader battle for votes.
Key points
- The DA's "water tanker mafia" billboard was removed after eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba threatened legal action.
