EFF manifesto launch KZN: Inanda local government elections

With less than two months before the November 4 local government elections, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema took his campaign to the Eastern Cape on Friday before heading to KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday. The party’s message was focused on jobs, free education and basic services as Malema addressed thousands of residents at the EFF’s provincial manifesto launch in Inanda, north of Durban.

The rally on Saturday, September 19, was held amid a heavy security presence and heightened tensions following clashes between EFF supporters and supporters of media personality and cultural activist Ngizwe Mchunu at a nearby event. The EFF is campaigning to gain control of eThekwini Municipality, with Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi as its mayoral candidate.

“In the whole of eThekwini, they allowed the sewer to go into the sea, to go into the beach because they don’t know what they are doing. We are going to take over this government and make sure that the sewer is properly directed and that the beach of eThekwini is conducive for our children and our visitors to go and swim there because tourism is what constitutes the economy.”

Malema promised that the EFF would create jobs for young people in the city, particularly those who had completed school. He said employment should be based on qualifications and identification documents rather than political connections. Addressing residents in Inanda, Malema criticised the city’s water and sanitation problems and blamed the African National Congress (ANC) for what he described as deliberate failures. He said old water pipes needed to be replaced to prevent leaks.

The party’s manifesto also focuses on improving water and electricity services, infrastructure development, and addressing municipal debt. Mkhaliphi also promised to address problems with the municipality’s billing system and residents’ longstanding municipal debt.