The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has written to provincial COGTA MEC, Sihle Zikalala, (view here) calling for urgent intervention following the collapse of basic infrastructure within eThekwini, particularly in the Phoenix and Verulam areas.
The call comes as Phoenix residents continue to suffer water rationing as a result of damage caused during the April 2022 floods. This, while Verulam residents were recently forced to put up with a 10-day power outage.
Regrettably, despite ongoing assurances by the ANC-run Metro that the issue is being dealt with, there has been very little progress with unscheduled and unannounced water outages, continued sewerage leaks and power outages for days a time.
It is clear that eThekwini Metro has completely lost control of its infrastructure and is unable, on its own, to supply reliable services to the residents of the city.
Despite the dire situation, the Metro had no clear plan during the recent holiday season. Instead, residents had to deal with a communication blackout.
Not only were they unable to get feedback on the many ongoing and worsening problems, even Ward Councillors – their elected representatives – faced an uphill battle getting any feedback from the Metro.
EThekwini under the ANC has become a failed metro. Residents wake up in the mornings not knowing whether there will be water in their taps or electricity when they flick the switch.
While the people of Phoenix, Verulam and surrounds are being bombarded by the city’s failures, the ANC again showed its true colours, resorting to political spin by shifting the blame to former Deputy Mayor, PG Mavundla.
If eThekwini fails, KZN fails. The MEC can no longer try to hide from the truth. He and his department must intervene and ensure that the people of eThekwini, are not forced to suffer as a result of his party’s failures.
Recent by-elections have shown that the people of eThekwini have lost faith in this uncaring ANC government. The DA calls on them to continue this trend in order to reduce the ANC majority and bring eThekwini one step closer to a municipality that will work for them.