EDITOR – Over the last year, eThekwini Municipality has fallen into complete dysfunction.
Despite Mayor James Nxumalo’s protestation to my use of the term, there is simply no other way to put it. Basic service delivery is listed in the Constitution as the core function of local governments, but eThekwini is unable to render many of these basic tasks.
In 2015, the contracts for the removal of weeds on hard surfaces, the replacement of street lights and the distribution and collection of recycling refuse all lapsed and were not timeously renewed. Refuse was repeatedly not collected and verges and parks were intermittently attended to, leaving many parts of Durban looking like a scene from the Jungle Book. The city was held to ransom by criminals demanding tenders and contracts which resulted in many residents have no electricity and water for days on end.
The lack of focus on these crucial matters seems to have been redirected to more lavish things. Weekly, residents are insulted with news of spending on concerts, cruises and gala dinners. eThekwini should attract tourists and events through clean and safe streets an maximizing and diversifying our tourism options. Instead, we bankroll events that should be paid for by the private sector with money that should be used to service communities. It Is nothing short of a disgrace.
The only way to stop the rot is for communities to come out in support of the only party that has consistently stood up to the ANC in eThekwini, and teach those who abuse our money a lesson at the polls. Votes for smaller parties and independent candidates are wasted in the council, which will grow to 217 seats after this election. Unite behind a principled, hard-working party- only the DA can take the ANC on in eThekwini.
Councillor Nicole Graham
Ward 33
