View noticesDA billboard removed after eThekwini legal threat
The municipality had objected to the billboard, arguing that it was defamatory and damaged the dignity and reputation of the officials depicted.
The Democratic Alliance’s controversial “water tanker mafia” billboard has been removed following a legal threat from eThekwini municipal officials.
The billboard, erected along the N2 near Newlands East, featured images of eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba, city manager Musa Mbhele and Water and Sanitation executive director Ednick Msweli alongside the words “water tanker mafia”.
It was reportedly removed by the advertising company after it became aware of the municipality’s threat of legal action, African News Agency reports.
The municipality had objected to the billboard, arguing that it was defamatory and damaged the dignity and reputation of the officials depicted. Its attorneys demanded that the billboard be removed within 24 hours and that the DA issue a public apology, warning that legal action would follow if the demands were not met.
The DA maintained that the billboard formed part of its campaign to hold the municipality accountable for water service delivery and questioned why it had been taken down.
The municipality welcomed the billboard’s removal, saying those serving the city should be able to perform their responsibilities without their integrity being undermined. Mbhele said robust political contestation was part of democracy but should not descend into defamation of individuals who were accountable to the public and bound by the law.
The DA continued to defend the billboard, saying it was intended to raise questions about water service delivery in eThekwini. Mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen accused the city government of avoiding accountability and said the party had not agreed to remove the billboard.
Hoosen said the city had chosen to threaten legal action over a billboard rather than spend money addressing the city’s water infrastructure problems.