DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Thousands of uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) supporters converged on Durban City Hall following a procession that departed from Curry’s Fountain, delivering a formal memorandum that outlines community grievances over alleged municipal corruption and deteriorating public services.
MK Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo framed the demonstration as a direct response to recent parliamentary scrutiny, pointing to damaging testimony delivered before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa). “The revelations before Scopa confirmed the deep-seated rot we have been tracking for years,” Nomvalo stated, emphasizing that the party holds documented evidence to substantiate its allegations. He noted that the full scope of the demands would be detailed during the official handover to city officials.
Central to the party’s memorandum is the collapse of local water infrastructure. Nomvalo argued that systemic maintenance failures have artificially inflated demand for private water tanker services, creating a lucrative tender environment that he described as emblematic of broader procurement misconduct. “The municipality’s inability to fix basic water networks only enables contractors to profit at the public’s expense,” he said.
The demonstration also highlighted longstanding concerns regarding the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Nomvalo alleged that the initiative has been systematically diverted into a political apparatus for the African National Congress, claiming that participants are pressured to attend ANC rallies, wear party-branded clothing, and assist with voter mobilization under threat of losing their stipends. “Workers rely on these monthly payments for survival, yet they face intimidation to serve as campaign foot soldiers,” he explained, characterizing the scheme as an exploitation of economically vulnerable residents.
When asked whether the Democratic Alliance’s concurrent anti-corruption advocacy aligned with MK objectives, Nomvalo drew a firm boundary between the two political movements. He dismissed the DA’s position as disconnected from grassroots realities, describing the opposition as a neoliberal entity with limited representation among working-class communities. “There is no overlap in our mandates. Our campaign is driven by township consultations and focuses exclusively on the poorest households bearing the brunt of municipal mismanagement,” he said.
Addressing broader national debates, Nomvalo expressed sympathy for the core objectives of the March and March movement, particularly regarding undocumented migration. He referenced recent public appeals for national stability, including statements from community figures such as the Amazing King, while criticizing official rhetoric that stigmatizes the campaign. Nomvalo stressed that unlawful residency undermines public safety and urged compliance with national documentation protocols. “Anyone living in South Africa lawfully must register with Home Affairs so authorities can maintain proper oversight,” he noted, adding that unregistered individuals create gaps in law enforcement tracking.
Looking ahead, Nomvalo confirmed that MK leadership will issue a formal response regarding March and March’s proposed nationwide shutdown on June 30. He signaled strong likelihood of support, attributing the potential endorsement to what he described as the state’s persistent failure to enforce immigration laws and secure national borders.
The memorandum submitted at City Hall compiles grievances collected across multiple eThekwini townships, with the MK Party pledging to sustain public pressure until municipal leadership implements verifiable corrective measures. Organizers emphasized that the mobilization reflects sustained community demands rather than short-term political positioning.