The DA in KwaZulu-Natal is accusing smaller parties in the eThekwini metro of being in bed with the ANC, despite the governing party running the city to the ground.
The DA, which is the main opposition party in the only metro in KwaZulu-Natal, held what it called the “real state of the city address” on Monday, where it laid bare the disastrous state of the metro.
It said the metro was on the brink of collapse, putting the eThekwini mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, at the centre of the city’s woes.
Big brother mentality
“Smaller parties like the DLC, Mosa, ACC, NFP, AL-Jamah, and Visvin Reddy [formerly ADEC and now MK member] have been co-pilots with the ANC in eThekwini’s collapse,” charged Chris Pappas, the DA premier candidate in the province.
“Unfortunately, just last week we saw another majority party, the Freedom Front Plus, vote with the ANC in support of spending money on new cars instead of fixing the many disasters in eThekwini.”
The DA has failed in previous motions to dissolve the eThekwini council, which would have given the green light to fresh elections.
Pappas was also quick to dispel the notion that the so-called big brother mentality had kept the ANC in power in eThekwini, although its support had plummeted to just under 50%.
“We will always be firm on our position on proportional engagements when discussing partnerships with other parties. They cannot dictate to us,” he told Sunday World.
Metro controls R6bn budget
Kaunda is expected to deliver his state of the city address on Tuesday. The public address will delve deeper into the financial state of the metro, among other things.
Pappas accused the ANC-led metro of being determined to destroy everything it touches and bring misery to as many people as possible.
“Ironically, the eThekwini municipality’s motto is to create the most livable city in Africa by 2030.
“Yet, this city under the ANC is quickly becoming a place of hardship and misery for far too many people. Life just gets harder and harder for residents every single day.”
The eThekwini metro controls about R6-billion of the budget, and it is considered the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal economy, with 60% provincial economic activity.
