/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance in eThekwini notes with grave concern, the steady decline in services rendered by the municipality’s water and sanitation unit. The Metro has not seen any improvement despite Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda's proclaiming that the city is doing everything within its power to curb the spiral of outages, burst pipes, reservoir failures, and now the never-ending saga of sewer spillages.

Something is indeed rotten in the state of eThekwini as residents and ratepayers have reached their wits' end with having electricity, water and sewer catastrophes almost daily . With the festive season around the corner, it appears that once again eThekwini municipality will not be able to offer residents safe, clean beaches free of pollution and free of sewage. The latest results from the Independent company Talbot show alarming statistics of prime eThekwini beaches being severely contaminated and polluted. (see here for a screenshot of the latest results)

The tests done by Talbot indicate that most Durban beaches that were tested for E. coli exceeded 500cfu/100ml – which is an unacceptably high level. High counts of E. coli indicate that the water is likely to be contaminated by feces, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens that can cause illness. Durban beaches are reflecting unprecedented levels with the highest ones recorded at Northern Works and Riverside.

Whilst the ANC-led municipality is flaunting spending millions on parties, catering, employee incentives, and dubious conferences and galas, the city manager has no clear plan on how they are going to stop the sewer spillages. The city manager was criminally charged for opening beaches that were polluted with E. coli in December 2021. No notice has been issued by eThekwini Municipality closing any of the beaches mentioned in Talbot's most recent report. The DA will write to the city manager demanding the closure of these beaches and public notification thereof.

The stench of corruption, maladministration, and fruitless and wasteful expenditure has become synonymous with the eThekwini municipality. Only the DA can rescue eThekwini like the DA's Mayor Chris Pappas did in uMngeni Local Municipality. Register and vote the rot in KZN out. Where the DA governs, life is better!

Issued by Councillor Yogis Govender - DA eThekwini EXCO Member