The eThekwini municipality leadership, including Mayor Cyril Xaba, City Manager Musa Mbhele, and Executive Director: Water and Sanitation Ednick Msweli, have taken issue with a billboard unveiled by the DA earlier this month. The billboard features images of the three officials alongside the statement "YOU CAN STOP THE WATER TANKER MAFIA". The ANC has since demanded an apology and retraction from the DA, citing the implication that the city leaders are part of a mafia.
A lawyer's letter, sent to the DA and seen by IOL, states that the billboard has the effect of expressly implicating and identifying the city leaders as being part of a mafia. The letter claims this implication suggests the leaders are involved or complicit in organised criminal activity or a syndicate, leading to further implications of unethical and dishonest conduct. The letter demands that the billboard be withdrawn and a public apology issued within 24 hours.
The ANC's demand for an apology and retraction comes ahead of the 2026 local government elections, which are set to take place in November. The party claims the billboard was created with the intention to influence the election and undermine the city leaders. The letter warns that failure to comply will result in High Court action.
DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen confirmed receipt of the letter and stated that the party's lawyers were looking into it. The DA has not yet publicly commented on the matter. The billboard in question was unveiled alongside the N2 motorway in the greater Durban area.
The controversy surrounding the billboard comes as major metros in South Africa face scrutiny over their finances ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Municipalities are imposing different tariff increases while battling debt and infrastructure backlogs. The eThekwini municipality has recently denied allegations of bribery related to the 2026 MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The 2026 local government elections have already seen various political parties revealing their candidates for mayoral positions in major metros. The ANC's selection process has been noted as unusual, with 42 potential candidates emerging. Other parties have also started to announce their candidates, including the DA.
The outcome of the dispute between the ANC and the DA remains to be seen. The city leaders have taken a strong stance against the billboard, and the DA has confirmed that its lawyers are reviewing the matter. The controversy highlights the tensions leading up to the 2026 local government elections.
Key points
- The eThekwini municipality leadership demands an apology from the DA over a billboard implying they are part of a "water tanker mafia".
- The billboard was unveiled ahead of the 2026 local government elections, which are set to take place in November.
- The DA has confirmed receipt of a lawyer's letter and is reviewing the matter through its lawyers.
