The Democratic Alliance in Msunduzi today calls on the KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sipho Hlomuka, to declare the municipality a local disaster area, as the municipality continues to deteriorate even under section 139(1) b.
The MEC is today expected to discuss the state of the province’s municipalities that are under section 139(1) b intervention. As the DA we will view any other verdict on Msunduzi as a cover-up for the ANC which has dismally failed to deliver on its mandate.
As is, anarchy has engulfed the Capital City of KZN. Days have now turned into weeks without electricity in parts of the City. See here, here and here
Violent protest actions have caused turmoil, destruction, and despair in the lower CBD. Yesterday, looting, criminality, and chaos completely collapsed small businesses in the vicinity of Lower East Street. Today, for the second day in a row, residents of Sweetwaters blocked roads and burnt tires demanding their electricity be restored after days with no end in sight.
As the DA we strongly condemn any destruction of property and the disturbance of municipal offices to render services as this only sets us back, even more so for a municipality like ours which is already under strain.
Comments by the Mayor, Mzi Thebolla, in the media stating that the violent and destructive protests were “unfortunate”, is an abomination and epitomizes the attitude of the ANC-led municipality.
This once-thriving city has been brought to its knees by an ANC Government that places the interests of its own first, that of its people, and the city last.
The Mayor, the Ministerial Representative and Senior Management have failed to address the people of Msunduzi affected by this never-ending crisis.
If the Mayor cannot execute his fundamentally important mandate of leading this municipality, then the DA will be left with no other option but to call for a Motion of No Confidence in him and demand that MEC of CoGTA once again intervene and declare a local disaster area.
Before businesses, suburbs and communities completely collapse and become ungovernable, this situation needs to be addressed immediately.
The DA appeals to the people of Msunduzi to stand together and hold those responsible and accountable for this devastating situation.
This city needs a government that is capable, has a proven track record, and has the political will to deal with this crisis once and for all to ensure we get this city back on a positive trajectory.