The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the uThukela District says the water challenges faced by uThukela District Municipality are problems that have existed for 10 years, before the IFP took over from the African National Congress (ANC) in 2021.

IFP Chairperson and uThukela Deputy Mayor Mkhize says that, with only five years in office, it is impossible to fix all the problems that accumulated over the previous 10 years. With this explanation, the party has asked voters to give it another chance to address challenges facing the district.

The IFP said this during a media briefing held at the Wembezi Multi-Purpose Centre Council Chambers on Friday (September 11).

The IFP admitted that there are challenges with water supply in the district, but said that water tankers are always available to assist communities when water shortages occur.

Only two IFP mayors attend media briefing

The media briefing was supposed to be attended by all uThukela IFP mayors. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, only Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality (ILM) Mayor Mduduzi Myeza and uThukela District Deputy Mayor MC Mkhize attended, alongside other party officials.

Myeza outlined the party’s 10-point manifesto and highlighted some of the commitments that ILM has managed to fulfil since 2021.

Among the achievements he highlighted was food security. Myeza said this commitment had been fulfilled through engagements with different communities, where the municipality has assisted small-scale farmers by providing chickens, goats and other forms of support.

Education programmes highlighted

Myeza also highlighted education as another area where the municipality had made progress. He said the municipality had provided school uniforms and laptops to all high schools.

He further stated that programmes such as the Mayoral Cup and Ingoma yaseWeenen would continue under the next administration, should the IFP win the elections.

These programmes have faced criticism, with some people – including the CoGTA committee in Parliament – questioning whether they amount to unnecessary spending of public funds. However, Myeza defended the programmes, saying they were properly budgeted for after the ILM council approved them.

He said there was a need for such programmes because they help keep young people together while also giving them opportunities to discover and develop their talents.

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