‘Are you the messiah?’ EFF’s Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi puts DA on the spot over eThekwini promises

From accusations of failing black communities in Cape Town to a fiery row over security guards and workers’ rights, the DA and EFF clashed over who should take responsibility for eThekwini’s problems as the local government elections approach.

The political tension unfolded during the IOL eThekwini Town Hall Debate, where the state of Durban and the municipality’s future took centre stage ahead of the November 4 elections.

Being in opposition is something that you are to hold accountable. That’s what we’ve been doing consistently. Holding the coalitions accountable for the decisions they make, putting up our hands and saying this is wrong.

Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi took aim at the DA, questioning its record in Cape Town while challenging the party’s promises to fix eThekwini. Mkhaliphi confronted Kissoon over what she described as failures to improve the lives of residents in Cape Town, arguing that the party could not present itself as a saviour for Durban while communities in the Western Cape continued to face poor living conditions. Mkhaliphi also questioned whether the DA was selective about the communities it prioritised, suggesting that its promises to eThekwini residents were politically motivated.

In response, the DA argued that the EFF should focus on eThekwini and the EFF’s own responsibilities within the municipality. The DA questioned the EFF’s handling of the Informal Settlements Portfolio, pointing to the number of informal settlements in eThekwini and challenging the party to account for its role in municipal decision-making.

When the budget is passed, you don’t fight when the budget is passed. You fight in your committees before that. That should be common knowledge.

Mkhaliphi hit back at the DA’s criticism of the EFF’s role in the municipality.