The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has renewed its criticism of the African National Congress (ANC)-run eThekwini Municipality, staging a march in Durban and demanding urgent intervention to address what it describes as widespread governance and service delivery failures.
Hundreds of MK Party supporters gathered at Curries Fountain before marching through the city and ending at Durban City Hall, where party leaders delivered a memorandum outlining a series of demands to the office of the eThekwini mayor.
The demonstration comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny of the municipality following a recent hearing by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). During the proceedings, findings from the Auditor-General highlighted concerns over financial compliance, procurement practices and project implementation within the metro.
Among the issues raised was R6.4 billion in irregular expenditure recorded over a two-year period. Parliament also heard allegations of losses linked to maladministration, unauthorised departures from procurement procedures and significant delays affecting infrastructure projects.
Addressing supporters during the protest, MK Party Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo said the ANC had failed to manage local government effectively. He accused ANC-led municipalities of becoming centres of corruption and patronage, alleging that public institutions had been used to benefit selected individuals, families and tender networks.
Nomvalo argued that confidence in ANC municipal administrations had eroded and called on residents to remove the governing party from power during the local government elections scheduled for 4 November.
Residents participating in the march voiced concerns about deteriorating municipal services, claiming corruption and poor governance were preventing resources from reaching communities. Protesters said problems such as water supply disruptions, drainage challenges and flood-related damage remained unresolved despite the municipality having access to resources that could be used to address them.
Some marchers also alleged that individuals who are not actively working continue to receive salaries from the municipality, while ratepayers are not receiving the level of service they are funding through municipal payments.
Supporters further stated that many residents were increasingly approaching the MK Party with complaints and grievances because they believed the party would eventually form part of government. Some participants expressed confidence that this would be confirmed after the 4 November elections.
At the conclusion of the march, the MK Party submitted a detailed list of demands. These included the immediate removal of officials alleged to be compromised, the commissioning of an independent forensic investigation into all active supply chain contracts, urgent measures to tackle the city’s extensive water losses, and action regarding allegations of ghost workers within the municipality.
The protest adds to mounting political pressure on the eThekwini administration as concerns over governance, procurement processes and service delivery continue to dominate public debate in the metro.