UMHLAZI, KWAZULU-NATAL — eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has acknowledged that infrastructure development within the municipality is struggling to keep pace with rapid urbanization and unprecedented population growth. Speaking to the media at the Umlazi taxi station ahead of the upcoming elections, the mayor addressed pressing community concerns regarding basic service delivery and the systemic challenges facing the city.
Xaba contextualized the municipality’s current struggles by pointing to a series of compounding crises, including the devastating floods that severely damaged underground networks and infrastructure, the 2021 civil unrest, and the broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, he maintained that the city has not rested on its laurels, highlighting the reconstruction of bridges, road repairs, and the relocation of flood-displaced residents.
Addressing specific service delivery complaints, Xaba defended the municipality’s operational status, noting that the city remains functional with consistent electricity, pothole repairs, and weekly refuse collection. However, he emphasized that waste management is a shared responsibility, urging residents to stop dumping refuse in non-designated areas.
The core of the city’s service delivery strain, according to the mayor, lies in unplanned developments. Xaba explained that bulk infrastructure, including water and plumbing systems, was originally designed for a specific number of households. The rapid influx of people has rendered some of these systems unfit for purpose, leading to the water shortages and electricity instability reported by residents.
“We have 603 informal settlements in the city,” Xaba stated, noting that the municipality, which encompasses rural areas, is under immense pressure to extend services to these unplanned locations. He pointed out that despite municipal warnings, people continue to build in unauthorized areas.
When pressed on how the city handles these unauthorized structures, Xaba cited legal and financial hurdles. He explained that court judgments prevent the removal of structures once they have been established for a certain period, unless alternative accommodation is provided—a provision the city currently lacks the budget to fulfill. Consequently, he argued that many informal settlements are populated by individuals attempting to “jump the queue” for municipal services.
Looking toward the November 4 elections, Xaba pitched his administration’s track record, arguing that his leadership has brought stability and restored municipal systems. He highlighted achievements such as accelerated service delivery, reduced crime and unemployment rates, and increased foreign and local investment.
Xaba concluded by asserting that investors and tourists are drawn to safe cities with reliable utilities, using the growth in visitor numbers as proof of the city’s economic recovery. On this basis, he stated that his administration has done enough to warrant another term to continue stabilizing and growing the eThekwini economy.
