Political tensions rise as ANC and IFP clash over municipal services
THE African National Congress (ANC), once regarded as a beacon of hope and liberation, finds itself weathering a storm of public disillusionment, mounting discontent, and a profound crisis of trust. Scandals ebb and flow, snaring presidents and premiers, metro mayors and ward councillors, and a dizzying cast of tenderpreneurs and middlemen, argues the writer.
Image: IOL / Independent Newspapers
Tensions are rising between the ANC and the IFP as both parties point fingers at each other over service delivery failures in both the uThukela District and the Inkosi Langalibalele Municipalities.
This comes as the ANC in Josiah Gumede Region accused the IFP of failing to run the UThukela District and Inkosi Langalibalele Municipalities well.
The ANC’s regional spokesperson, Sipho Ndaba, accused the IFP of collapsing the UThukela District Municipality.
“It is no coincidence that UThukela District Municipality has been struggling to cope with keeping the flow of water in our taps throughout the district.
"This has negatively impacted our communities as well as businesses alike. People have lost faith in the IFP due to their perpetual inability to provide basic services.
"This fact cannot be ignored nor reversed. It is there for everyone to see,” the spokesperson said.
He also alleged that the district municipality failed to pay Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality its electricity bills.
Ndaba said they were informed by “reliable sources” that the amount municipality owed was exorbitant.
“The local municipality tried its best to negotiate with uThukela in good faith but it was clear that they were unable to pay the bills.
"This has compelled Inkosi Langalibalele to cut off electricity supply to all the water works.
"What Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality did was crucial in emphasising the reciprocal obligations of consumers, in this case the uThukela District Municipality to pay for services acquired
"So in essence, failure to pay enjoins a municipality to enforce its credit by-laws," he said.
However, Mbuzeleni Mkhize, IFP Uthukela District chairman poured cold water into ANC’s claims He was amazed at the party’s courage to accuse the IFP of failing to render services.
Mkhize said that it was also surprising to hear that the ANC existed in the region.
He said it would take some time for the IFP to fix the damage left by the ANC when they controlled the municipality until 2021.
However, Mkhize said the party was on the verge of completing that task.
“The IFP took over a municipality that was drowning in debt. We were working on an unfunded budget, which has made it impossible for all the things we wish to do, happen quickly.
Mkhize took a swipe at the ANC’s leadership by saying that the last time he checked, the structures of the party in the region had been disbanded due to "laziness".
“We therefore view this crisis as a serious concern which needs urgent attention and action," said Mkhize
DAILY NEWS