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The DA is ready to turn eThekwini around. DA governance across South Africa continues to deliver, while ANC governance fails, as eThekwini shows. Only the DA is big enough to win.

eThekwini after five years of ANC governance is now losing around 65% of its water, up from 48.9% when this term began in 2021. That amounts to approximately 21 billion litres of water lost every month.

Today's last full sitting of this eThekwini Council, before the local government elections on 4 November 2026, closes five years of ANC-led government in our city. Five years ago, the ANC failed to win a majority. Support from smaller parties returned it to power by a margin of just 9 votes. Residents can now judge the consequences for themselves.

Nowhere has the failure been more damaging than water:

• Water losses climbed to around 65% (up from 48.9%) by June 2026
• There are around 13,000 active unattended leaks across the city
• The reported financial cost of water losses reached approximately R2.9 billion in 2024/25
• Spending on water tankers has grown,from R102.6 million to a massive R814.8 million, while communities still wait for reliable water from their taps.

The administration knew the condition of the water system and had five years to act. Instead, losses rose and infrastructure deteriorated, while residents paid more for less.

That is why the DA has called for the suspension of the Head of Water and Sanitation, Mr Ednick Msweli, so that the department's performance can be properly accounted for.

Water is not the only warning sign. According to the latest financial report, municipal debtors have grown from approximately R15.9 billion in 2021 to a staggering R49 billion. Irregular expenditure has risen to R4.48 billion. A 482% increase since the ANC regained power in 2021. Major infrastructure and public transport challenges remain unresolved.

Residents of eThekwini deserve a government who will get the basics right, and who will put their interests and needs first.

Only the DA is big enough to win, and we are campaigning to become the biggest party in eThekwini and to lead a new administration focused on rebuilding basic services.

Our test for government is simple:

Does water come out of the tap?

Does sewage stay in the pipes?

Are the roads maintained?

Is taxpayer money protected?

Those are the questions residents should ask when they vote on 4 November, and the questions the next government must be held accountable against.

Issued by DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen