DA to approach Public Protector over R22 million eThekwini statues

2 June 2023

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal will write to the Public Protector as well as the Auditor General to request that the R22 million statues by the eThekwini municipality be investigated.

This as the municipality allegedly redirected funds of almost R10 million from the Tongaat water works as well as specialist fire fighting vehicles for the purchase of the Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo statues. In his defence, Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, said the R22 million was the cheapest figure compared with others who wanted almost the same price for only one statue.

Kaunda is clearly out of touch with the plight of residents in eThekwini.

While his budget made no mention of plans to relieve already burdened ratepayers, he could not miss the opportunity to impose tariff increases ensuring that ANC cadres continue to eat while residents get no services.

This is adding fuel to fire. Residents in Tongaat have gone for days without water due to the municipality’s failure to fix infrastructure. For years now the eThekwini Fire departments has remained under resourced and short-staffed, in typical ANC style, the excuse has always been that the city does not have money.

Just last week, the DA visited a community in KwaMashu where we did not only learn that they still use pit latrines, but also that for almost five years now these have not been cleaned.

It is mind-boggling that the same municipality would saw it fit that we erect statues instead. Our infrastructure is collapsing, residents do not have houses, and we are faced with frequent power outages.

Lives and livelihoods are on the line and the only thing that the ANC government can offer are statues.

The 2024 elections give residents the choice to choose between living under the uncaring ANC or a government that has a proven track record for good governance.

Issued by Francois Rodgers, DA KZN Leader, 2 June 2023