eThekwini burns, worker shot while Kaunda missing in action

2 March 2024

It has been several days since orchestrated chaos erupted in the eThekwini municipality, yet there has been no single sighting or word by Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda. eThekwini has spiralled into an inferno with municipal workers deliberately compromising waste, water and electricity services over wage demands.

To make matters worse, a municipal worker has been shot in a drive-by shooting incident believed to be linked to the ongoing strike.  The incident is said to have left a bullet lodged in the municipal employee's arm who is recovering in hospital. This has created widespread panic and fear among those employees who still wish to execute their duties.  Law enforcement, like our Mayor, is nowhere to be seen so that law and order prevails.

This situation which has spread uncontrollably is directly caused by ANC ructions. Once again the inner instabilities of the ruling party have spilled onto the streets of eThekwini while the ANC Mayor, Kaunda, cowardly runs into hiding, just as he did during the water crisis, yet he does not waste a minute jumping on a stage with lights and music to put on a flamboyant performance.

We call on the cowardly Kaunda to come out and walk these burning streets of eThekwini. The DA again calls for an immediate end to this ongoing madness that’s gripped this already ailing municipality. While we respect the right to protest we do not condone the undermining of critical service delivery and law and order in the process.

Issued by Thabani Mthetwha, DA eThekwini Caucus Leader, 2 March 2024