The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal has declined to remove a billboard advertisement that has been deemed offensive by officials from Thekwini municipality. The billboard, which is located on the N2 highway near Newlands East, features the images of Mayor Cyril Xaba, municipal manager Musa Mbhele, and water and sanitation director Ednick Msweli. The advertisement reads, "Stop the water tanker owners who are destroying infrastructure, vote for the DA to get water from the tap."
According to the DA, the billboard highlights the municipality's failure to maintain water infrastructure, leading to a reliance on water tankers. The party claims that 13,000 areas currently experience water pipe leaks, resulting in 21 billion liters of water being lost monthly. DA representative Haniff Hoosen stated that they will not remove the billboard, which they believe is a legitimate campaign message. The advertisement was also posted on the DA's website.
Officials from Thekwini municipality have described the billboard as defamatory and demanded that it be removed within a day. In a letter to the DA, Mayor Xaba, Mbhele, and Msweli expressed concern that the advertisement falsely implicated them in the destruction of water infrastructure. They argued that there was no evidence to support the claims made by the DA.
The officials also accused the DA of using the billboard as a campaign tactic ahead of the November 4 elections. They warned that if the DA failed to comply with their demand, they would take the matter to court. However, Hoosen maintained that the DA would not back down, stating that they would not remove the billboard or apologize for its content.
The dispute between the DA and Thekwini officials highlights the tensions leading up to the municipal elections. The DA's campaign strategy has focused on highlighting what they perceive as the failures of the current municipal administration. The party's stance on water infrastructure has been a key plank of their campaign.
The water crisis in Thekwini has been a long-standing issue, with residents experiencing frequent water shortages. The DA has argued that the municipality's inability to maintain its water infrastructure has led to a reliance on expensive and inefficient water tankers. The party has promised to prioritize water infrastructure maintenance if elected.
The refusal by the DA to remove the billboard has set the stage for a showdown between the party and Thekwini officials. The outcome of the dispute remains to be seen, but it is clear that the issue will continue to play out in the lead-up to the elections. The DA's decision to maintain the billboard has underscored its commitment to its campaign message.
Key points
- The DA has refused to remove a billboard advertisement that Thekwini officials claim is defamatory and have demanded be taken down.
- The billboard highlights the municipality's failure to maintain water infrastructure, leading to a reliance on water tankers.
- The dispute between the DA and Thekwini officials is likely to continue in the lead-up to the municipal elections.
