eThekwini officials welcome removal of DA billboard

A controversial Democratic Alliance (DA) election campaign billboard in Durban has been taken down following complaints from eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and senior city officials.

The DA unveiled the billboard, with the pictures of Xaba, city manager Musa Mbhele and Water head Ednick Msweli next to the words: “You can stop the water tanker mafia, along the N2 highway.

Xaba, Mbhele and Msweli sent a lawyer’s letter to the DA, saying it is defamatory, implying they are involved in organised crime.

eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Senzo Mzila says they welcome the removal of the billboard.

“The eThekwini Municipality welcomes the removal of the Democratic Alliance billboard that targeted political leadership and senior administration. While robust political debate is a vital part of our democracy it must never cross the line into personal defamation or attempts to undermine the dignity of officials serving in the city.  The city manager Mr Musa Mbhele has emphasised that those who serve in eThekwini must be allowed to fulfil their public duty with their integrity intact.”

Meanwhile, the DA has defended putting up the billboard, accusing the eThekwini officials of evading accountability after it was taken down.

The DA said they won’t take the billboard down. However, it’s alleged the property owner wanted the billboard removed after being harassed.

DA mayoral candidate in eThekwini Haniff Hoosen says they will continue to hold officials accountable.

“The accountability billboard that we erected 48 hours ago has been removed. There are clearly people in the city who do not want us to expose the truth. They do not wish for the public to know the cause of the water crisis in eThekwini. As the DA we will continue fighting to expose those individuals who are responsible for the 13 000 active water leaks across the city, 65 percent of our water is being lost, which equates to 21 billion litres of water every single month.”