Political point-scoring and mismanagement fuel the ongoing standoff between eThekwini Municipality and the DPWI, potentially affecting key government services in Durban. The mudslinging between eThekwini Mayor, Cyril Xaba and KwaZulu-Natal MEC forPublic Works and Infrastructure,Martin Meyer has drawn criticism from political analysts. The pair are locked in a war of words over unpaid property rates, which has led to the disconnection of essential services to government buildings in Durban.
Analysts who spoke to IOL said the fight is fueled by political tensions and mismanagement, and is more about political point-scoring rather than effective governance. They warn that the public will ultimately suffer as service delivery is disrupted. This has led to theforced shutdown of vehicle licensing and testing centres in KZN, forced shutdown of vehicle licensing and testing centres in KZN, The conflict escalated after the Department of Public Works failed to settle over R500 million in outstanding property taxes owed to the eThekwini Municipality, leading to the disconnection of water and electricity supplies to key government offices, including the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) Rossburgh and Umdloti Licensing Centres, and the Department of Transport’s Regional Office.
Earlier this week,Xabacalled on Meyer to urgently settle the outstanding property rates owed by the Department of Public Works to the municipality. “It is unfortunate that the DA continues to raise concerns about poor service delivery, and has recently taken the municipality to court over sewer infrastructure, while its own deployee in government is delaying to settle municipal debt that would help alleviate the very infrastructure challenges it complains about,” Xaba said in a scathing press statement. He further stated that Meyer, also a member of the DA, “cannot speak from both sides of the mouth.” Xaba went on to accuse and slam the DA for what he calls “running a misinformation campaign” regarding beach water quality results.
[paywall]
“…Yet their silence is deafening regarding the money owed to the City by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. These funds could significantly improve our infrastructure. We call on the DA to be truthful and honest with the public,” Xaba said. Hitting back, the DA’s Dean Macpherson slammed Xaba for “abusing council resources to politicise his failures and his attack Meyer”.
[/paywall]
