ANC confident of victory in eThekwini and across KZN

African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa says the party remains confident of winning in eThekwini and across KwaZulu-Natal in the upcoming local government elections.

Speaking during a campaign trail in Magabheni, south of Durban, Ramaphosa acknowledged recent opinion polls but said the ANC remained focused on victory.

He says the party is receiving a positive response from residents, whom he believes understand what is best for eThekwini and other municipalities in the province.

“I mean polls are polls, and we note polls. And we continue with our work. We are campaigning for a victory. We note polls, we read them and put them aside and just focus on the work that we are doing. Our people are responding very, very positively. They know what is good for this metro; they know what is good for our municipalities and that only the ANC is able to reposition the municipality. We’ve got a lot of experience in governance.”

Residents raise their challenges 

Residents in the area raised concerns over high electricity costs and an unreliable water supply.

During a door-to-door visit, one resident told Ramaphosa that some households go for days without running water or water tankers.

Interacting with one of the community members in the area, Ramaphosa said work is underway to reduce the cost of electricity.

“The problem is that they are doing things that are against the law, but eventually the cost of electricity will go down. Are you registered to get the electricity that is given to residents for free? Because you, granny, can qualify for this electricity that is given to indigent people; people who are on a pension. They are supposed to get free electricity.” 

Some residents are hopeful that Ramaphosa’s visit will help address their ongoing water challenges.

“So they can continue to bring us water. Our issue here is the issue of water. And the R350 grant must be raised because I don’t have a child who is getting a grant. And the R500 child support grant must be raised also. Thank you so much. I’m talking on behalf of people who are too shy to speak. Raise the child support grant and the social relief of distress grant,” says one resident. 

Army deployment 

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the deployment of more than 500 soldiers in the province is in response to requests from residents and provincial authorities.

This follows violent protests and looting reported in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng earlier this month, amid misinformation surrounding a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers.

The deployment began on October 9 and is expected to continue until the end of November at a cost of more than R34 million.

Ramaphosa says the soldiers are not there to replace the police but to support them in addressing security challenges.

“We’ve decided to deploy the army here at the request of our people and leadership here to come and support the police. It’s not the army coming here to replace the police – they are here as a supportive element to the work being done by the police. We’ve had challenges our people wanted to be addressed. They felt the best way to do so is to bring in the army to support the police.” 

Ramaphosa says the government is responsible for addressing illegal migration, not private individuals.

He says the deployment of the army is aimed at restoring stability in eThekwini.

“We as government have said we are the only authority that has the power and the ability to deal with illegal migration. And no one else in our country should be taking over the jobs of the police or state authority. We will not tolerate illegal activities, whether directed against South Africans or foreign nationals. All of these people have rights. And all of us as South Africans have rights.”