We was robbed, say residents
Image: ChatGPT
Cyril Xaba the eThekwini mayor spent R22 million on two statutes which was not necessary. His silly justification was that the statutes will increase tourism, which is totally absurd. I will not visit a place full of sewer leaks, litter, crime, potholes, and huge trees and bush as the statutes become meaningless. I regret living next to vacant council land, which has not been cleared for over two years. My plea to the municipality and councillor of ANC Ward 37 have been futile. Their response is lack of budget, but why spend on statutes when there are no funds for grass cutting. | Anonymous
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Daily News 03/03/26. What nonsense that the statues will boost tourists – damn waste of our money, no priorities for this failing govt that wants to visit a statue when nobody respects Mandela’s legacy, his principals. It’s just a mockery. SHAME ANC, GET YR PRIORITES RIGHT. | Sheila
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Re: The OR Tambo statue is 1 of 2 costing R22 million at North Beach, which has been closed due to pollution for past seven days! | Robert
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WHAT A JOKE – MAYOR XABA DEFENDS THE FOOLISH EXPENDITURE OF R22 MILLION. The mayor says it’s a boost for tourism – for whose benefit is it to boost you and your cronies’ bank balances and, of course, your rich buddies in the tourism industry who will get even richer and by that way where you and your cronies will benefit. Also, is it all about that while the infrastructure is ailing and while the poor and destitute suffer? In spite of all this, you and your cronies in the municipality and government at large indulge in free food at huge parties after every meeting like you’ve never seen food before, caring less about the suffering. All this by just wasting money on statues and whatever. Sad but true. Why not take this money and spend it on infrastructure, fix all the roads, give the people houses as you have promised when you came into power or was the promise to just get votes and why punish the people in regards to water and electricity? What good are you doing by removing vagrants and homeless people and not providing them with shelter? Provide the necessities for the people before wasting resources on statues and unnecessary things and trying to boost tourism. What about the GO Durban project, which is just standing idle or do you mean Durban is gone? Finished and klaar, or whatever you say. Shame on you Mr Mayor, do you really get a good night’s sleep? I doubt it, with all you’ll think about how you’ll going to retire. My advice to you Mr Mayor, please do the right thing and try and bring our once beautiful country back to its beauty. | Anonymous
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How is it that the Durban municipality can find R22 million for two statues, but cannot find the funds to fix ailing and aging infrastructure? | Vicky
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The mayor can erect as many statues as he wants. The tourists will still not come because of the high rate of crime, and the poor safety standards for our visitors. I myself will not walk in the city centre, for fear of being mugged. President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the two statutes last week costing R22 million. One can imagine how much the unveiling itself cost. The ANC says the statutes will increase tourism, which is totally absurd. I would not visit a place full of sewer leaks, litter, crime, potholes, and huge trees and bush as the statutes become meaningless. This money could have been used to improve taxpayers’ lives. I regret living next to vacant council land, which has not been cleared for more than two years. My pleas to the municipality and the ANC councillor of Ward 37 have been futile. Their response is lack of budget, so why spend on statutes when there are no funds for grass cutting. | Samson