eThekwini Mayor demands DA to remove ‘defamatory’ billboard
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and municipal officials have threatened legal action against the Democratic Alliance (DA) for a billboard linking them to a 'water tanker mafia'. The DA refuses to remove the sign, claiming it highlights the leadership's failure to address Durban's ongoing water crisis.
Why it matters
This highlights the intensifying political tensions and accountability battles in South African municipal governance regarding essential service delivery.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and two senior municipal officials have demanded that the Democratic Alliance (DA) remove what they describe as a defamatory election billboard displayed along the N2 in Durban.
Through their lawyers, Xaba, City Manager Musa Mbhele and Head of Water Ednick Msweli have given the DA 24 hours to remove the billboard.
The billboard displays the images of Xaba, Mbhele, and Msweli next to the wording “you can stop the water tanker mafia”.
According to the letter, it implies that the three are involved in organised crime, which is devoid of the truth.
The law firm says they will seek a high court order if the DA does not comply.
Meanwhile, the DA says it will not remove the billboard, arguing that it is holding eThekwini’s political and administrative leadership accountable for the city’s water crisis.
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