A billboard in KwaZulu-Natal displaying the faces of eThekwini's top three municipal officials alongside the words "stop the water tanker mafia" has been removed. The billboard, unveiled by DA mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen on the busy N2 highway, aimed to start a conversation about the city's failure to fix water infrastructure and its reliance on water tankers. The billboard read: "You can stop the water tanker mafia. Vote DA for water in your taps."
The billboard featured pictures of eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba, municipal manager Musa Mbhele, and technical services director Ednick Msweli. Hoosen said the water crisis had worsened under the three, with about 13,000 active water leaks at any given time, resulting in an estimated 21-billion litres of water lost monthly. He accused the leadership of allowing emergency tankers to become a permanent substitute for working infrastructure, benefiting tanker interests while residents suffer.
The three municipal officials took umbrage at being linked to the "water tanker mafia" and their attorney, Hiresen Govender, sent a letter to the DA and Hoosen demanding the removal of the billboard and an apology within 24 hours. Govender argued that the billboard implied his clients were involved in organised criminal activity and was designed to influence the election and undermine the eThekwini municipality.
Govender's letter stated that the billboard's statement was entirely false, unfounded, and defamatory. He warned that his clients would go to the high court to protect their rights and seek damages if their demands were not met. In response, Hoosen was adamant that the billboard would stay, saying he would see the three in court if necessary.
However, on Friday, the billboard had been removed, and Hoosen believed someone in the city was behind what he called censorship. He suspected that intimidatory tactics were used to get the billboard down. The billboard company, Face First Media, denied intimidation or threats, stating that they removed the advertising to protect their business and maintain a neutral position.
The city has spent about R345m to buy 318 water tankers and an additional 43 tankers before the end of the year to address water infrastructure challenges in communities. eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba said the tankers were an interim measure, with the municipality's long-term commitment being to ensure that residents have reliable access to water through household taps.
The ANC has welcomed Xaba's decision to consider legal action against the DA over the "billboard spreading unsubstantiated claims about him and city officials". Provincial ANC spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica urged all political parties to adhere to the electoral code and avoid disinformation and negative campaigning.
Key points
- The DA billboard was removed amid legal threats from municipal officials who claimed it was defamatory.
- The billboard aimed to highlight the city's water crisis and its reliance on water tankers.
- The ANC has welcomed the mayor's decision to consider legal action against the DA over the billboard.
