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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini can exclusively reveal that the city’s Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) has paid almost R1 billion to just ten (10) private contractors (see attached), between 2018 and 2023.

In turn, these private contractors supposedly appointed and paid 854 Community-Based Contractors (CBCs) to collect rubbish and sweep streets on their behalf in areas such as Glebelands, Mayville, Molweni, Kwamakhutha, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, Inanda, Ntshanga, Ntshongweni and other townships.

According to the information at our disposal, which we obtained through our own investigations and submitted questioning to Council Speaker, Cllr Thabani Nyawose, it can be confirmed that initially an amount of R684 million was paid by the city to five (5) contractors during the period of 2018 to 2023. These contractors then appointed 398 Community-Based Contractors (CBCs) during this period. CBCs are ward-based emerging contractors who are supposedly on an Empowerment and Mentorship Programme.

The aforementioned contractors were then replaced mid-2023 by a new group of 5 contractors who in turn appointed 456 CBCs. To date, over a period of 6 months, the new contractors have been paid R40,1 million collectively.

The total amount paid to the ten (10) contractors is R731,520,750.33. 2. Responding to the DA’s question, the city claims that each CBC was earning between R20 700 to R21 600 monthly. When the DA probed further about who the CBCs were, CSW refused to provide the information but instead cited the Protection of Personal Information Act as the reason why they could not provide the information.

This is completely absurd. Payment to contractors or individuals using taxpayers' money cannot be to faceless individuals. This is suspicious and we will be considering legal action as a means to pursue this to ensure transparency and accountability.

With the streets of eThekwini still in a state of pollution and decay it becomes clear that was another well-orchestrated ANC heist, much like in the matter of former eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede.

It is due to such poor and costly governance by the ANC-EFF coalition in the city that the DA is pushing vigorously for the dissolving of the eThekwini council which will be tabled early next month.

The only way we can save the city from total collapse is by giving the residents a new chance to vote for a stable and efficient government.

Issued by Cllr Mzamo Billy - DA eThekwini Deputy Caucus Leader Member - Human Settlement & Infrastructure Committee