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" in bold letters. The eThekwini Municipality had taken umbrage with the billboard, saying it was defamatory and damaging to the city's reputation.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba wrote to the DA, demanding that the billboard be removed immediately. In his letter, Xaba stated that the billboard was "untruthful and misleading" and could harm the city's efforts to provide water to its residents. The DA complied with the mayor's demand, and the billboard was removed.
The DA had claimed that the billboard was meant to highlight the alleged corruption in the water tanker industry. However, the party did not provide any evidence to support its claims. The eThekwini Municipality has been working to improve its water supply infrastructure, and the mayor's office said that the billboard was an attempt to undermine these efforts.
The removal of the billboard has been welcomed by the eThekwini Municipality, which said it was pleased that the DA had taken the mayor's concerns seriously. The municipality has urged all parties to work together to find solutions to the city's water challenges, rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.
The DA has not commented on the removal of the billboard, but sources close to the party said that they were reviewing their strategy and would continue to raise concerns about corruption in the water sector. The party has been critical of the eThekwini Municipality's handling of the water crisis, and has accused the city of mismanaging its water resources.
The water crisis in eThekwini has been a major challenge for residents, with many areas experiencing frequent water shortages. The city has been working to upgrade its infrastructure and improve its water supply, but the process has been slow. The DA's billboard had sparked a heated debate about the city's water challenges and the role of corruption in exacerbating the crisis.
The mayor's office has urged residents to report any instances of corruption or maladministration in the water sector. The office has also promised to take action against those found to be corrupt or involved in maladministration. The eThekwini Municipality has a critical role to play in providing water to its residents, and the mayor's office has said that it will do everything in its power to ensure that the city's water supply is secure.
Key points
- The DA's "water tanker mafia" billboard was removed after eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba threatened legal action.
