The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will write to National CoGTA Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, to request national intervention as a result of the failure by the province’s ANC-run government to implement Section 154 intervention within the beleaguered eThekwini Municipality.
The move also comes after an oral parliamentary reply (view here) by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube to questions by the DA.
The Premier’s reply is a shocking display of ANC flip-flopping on a crucial matter. It also shows that the tail wags the dog in KZN and that she and her placeholder Taliban faction ANC cabinet lack the political will, the clout or the ability to intervene in eThekwini.
While the situation in KZN’s only Metro deteriorates daily she, her CoGTA MEC and cabinet wring their hands, shrug their shoulders, and do nothing. Even a committee – to be appointed by the Premier to fast-track the intervention – has never come to fruition.
This matter has dragged on for months. In May 2023, provincial CoGTA MEC, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi announced an intervention by provincial government in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution.
The same month, she was refused permission by eThekwini’s ANC-EFF coalition to address the council on the intervention.
Since then, the MEC has gone to ground on the issue. Her only comment – following pressure by the DA in the KZN Legislature – was that a report would be forthcoming.
The report – brought before KZN’s CoGTA portfolio committee in August 2023 – spelt out eThekwini’s failures in detail and the reasons for the implementation of Section 154. Since then, there has been nothing – yet again.
From the start, the DA claimed that Section 154 intervention was window dressing that not even the ANC could pull off. We also said that the only real solution for this failed Metro was a Section 139 (1) (b) intervention, which would see the Metro placed under administration.
Political parties are no stranger to internal squabbles – but when ANC infighting and power struggles impact on the residents of our province then we are compelled to speak up.
The DA will continue to be the voice for all KZN’s people. In 2024, they will have the opportunity to rescue our province when they go to the ballot box