Democratic Alliance leader predicts two-party race in KwaZulu-Natal

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has characterized the upcoming local government elections in KwaZulu-Natal as a two-party contest between the DA and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. During a campaign visit to the uMngeni municipality, Hill-Lewis noted that the MK Party secured the majority of votes in that area during the 2024 general elections, despite uMngeni being the only DA-controlled municipality in the province.

Hill-Lewis identified the eThekwini Metro as a critical battleground, predicting a tight race between the DA and the MK Party. He called for residents to support the DA to ensure the municipality is fixed and to prevent the MK Party from gaining power.

Amidst these political shifts, discussions regarding municipal service delivery have intensified. Hill-Lewis has proposed utilizing private companies to assist municipalities with infrastructure repairs, such as fixing burst pipes and managing electricity and water systems, to address widespread service failures. While critics have labeled the proposal as privatization, Hill-Lewis maintains the plan involves using private sector expertise to assist municipalities that lack the necessary resources and skilled engineers, rather than selling off public assets.