Note to editors: Please find Soundbite by Sakhile Mngadi MPL in English (here) and IsiZulu (here).
The Democratic Alliance in iLembe welcomes the firm and clear reaffirmation by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, that Proportional Representation (PR) Councillors across all municipalities, including those in iLembe District, are empowered to issue Proof of Address (POA) letters (see here).
This follows sustained efforts by the DA and formal escalation of the matter by the CoGTA Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Hon. Marlaine Nair, after the KwaDukuza Municipality persistently refused to allow DA PR Councillors to issue POAs—effectively politicising a basic service and denying thousands of residents a critical document required for banking, schooling, and social service access.
The letter from MEC Buthelezi affirms what the law has always provided – that each councillor, whether ward-based or proportional representation, is accountable for their actions and entrusted to serve communities without unnecessary obstruction. This intervention is not just a win for the DA – it is a victory for every resident in iLembe who deserves dignified, non-partisan access to services.
We thank Hon. Marlaine Nair for her decisive leadership as Chairperson of the CoGTA Committee. Her voice and action ensured that this injustice was challenged and reversed. It is because of public representatives like her that power in municipalities will no longer go unchecked.
This is further evidence that the DA, where it governs or leads, remains committed to good governance, fairness, and ensuring that no resident is punished because of political affiliations.
The DA in iLembe will continue to monitor the implementation of this directive across all local municipalities, and we urge residents to report any obstruction or attempt to undermine their rights to access a POA document from their councillor.