The mudslinging between eThekwini Mayor, Cyril Xaba and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer has drawn criticism from political analysts. The pair are locked in a war of words over unpaid property rates, which has led to the disconnection of essential services to government buildings in Durban. 

Analysts who spoke to IOL said the fight is fueled by political tensions and mismanagement, and is more about political point-scoring rather than effective governance. They warn that the public will ultimately suffer as service delivery is disrupted.  This has led to the forced shutdown of vehicle licensing and testing centres in KZN,

Unpacking the conflict

The conflict escalated after the Department of Public Works failed to settle over R500 million in outstanding property taxes owed to the eThekwini Municipality, leading to the disconnection of water and electricity supplies to key government offices, including the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) Rossburgh and Umdloti Licensing Centres, and the Department of Transport’s Regional Office.

Earlier this week, Xaba called on Meyer to urgently settle the outstanding property rates owed by the Department of Public Works to the municipality.

“It is unfortunate that the DA continues to raise concerns about poor service delivery, and has recently taken the municipality to court over sewer infrastructure, while its own deployee in government is delaying to settle municipal debt that would help alleviate the very infrastructure challenges it complains about,” Xaba said in a scathing press statement. 

He further stated that Meyer, also a member of the DA, “cannot speak from both sides of the mouth.”

Xaba went on to accuse and slam the DA for what he calls “running a misinformation campaign” regarding beach water quality results. 

“…Yet their silence is deafening regarding the money owed to the City by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. These funds could significantly improve our infrastructure. We call on the DA to be truthful and honest with the public,” Xaba said. 

Hitting back, the DA’s Dean Macpherson slammed Xaba for “abusing council resources to politicise his failures and his attack Meyer”.

“That the mayor would seek to blame the DA and MEC Meyer for his failures is laughable but unsurprising. eThekwini is in the state it is because of Mayor Xaba and the ANC’s failures to govern the city. It is why the ANC achieved only 14% in the city in the 2024 elections,” Macpherson said. 

In response to Macpherson, Xaba said the municipality was taking every step to recover the money owed to it, including enforcing credit control through disconnections, using debt collectors, and offering a special debt relief program to assist struggling customers.

“I trust that the DA EXCO members in the City will work with me to persuade the Department of Public Works to pay the outstanding debt as a matter of urgency,” he said. 

Analysts weigh in

Siyabonga Ntombela, a political analyst from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said that the conflict could adversely affect eThekwini residents, particularly as essential services like water and waste management may be disrupted.

He also pointed out that such disputes could erode public trust in local governance. “The public begins to doubt the calibre of the leaders presiding over the city, but also question why the opposition is only acting now,” Ntombela said.

Ntombela also noted that the lack of cooperation between the provincial and local governments could worsen as the 2026 local government elections approach, further destabilising an already divided political landscape. “It is a political game of pointing fingers, but the real impact will be felt by the residents,” he added.

Goodenough Mashego, another political analyst, echoed these concerns, suggesting that the root of the conflict lies in political tensions between the ANC and DA. 

“The ANC is desperate to win back eThekwini and other urban areas ahead of the 2026 elections, and this ongoing battle between the MEC and the mayor is a reflection of that,” Mashego said.

He argued that both parties are using the dispute for political leverage, even at the expense of service delivery to the public.

Mashego emphasised the need for a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each level of government.

He argued that the Department of Public Works, as the custodian of provincial government buildings, should not be blamed for service delivery issues that are beyond its control.

“The Department of Public Works is not responsible for paying the water and electricity bills of other government departments. Those accounts are paid directly by the respective user departments,” Mashego said.

He warned that such conflicts would ultimately hurt residents, who rely on essential services. 

Analysts agree that the political tensions between the ANC and DA in KwaZulu-Natal are unlikely to subside as the 2026 elections draw closer. 

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

IOL Politics 

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