Cape Town — Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, said he is not concerned with the number of political parties expected to contest the provincial elections in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN).
There are at least 33 parties expected to contest the general elections in the province. During a campaign trail in Umlazi in the south of Durban, Mashatile said the African National Congress (ANC) had a solid support base in the province and believed the ruling party had a strong support base in KZN and believes the party will win in the province, SABC News reported.
“We are confident that we’ll win the election. The people of KwaZulu-Natal still trust and believe in the ANC,” Mashatile said.
KZN has long been a strong election battleground for some of the countries biggest parties with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party expected to lead the polls in KZN.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says he’s satisfied with the work done to alleviate water and sanitation supply challenges in areas under eThekwini Municipality.
Mashatile assessed the city’s wastewater treatment works and water treatment plants. ##sabcnews pic.twitter.com/3BbYucS7vN— Vusi Khumalo (@djvuslo) April 12, 2024
As reported by The Witness, Mashatile assured residents of Durban that there is a plan in place to rescue residents from the impending water crisis plaguing large parts of the metro. Mashatile embarked on an assessment of the water infrastructure in and around the eThekwini on Friday.
Mashatile visited water and sanitation sites in Durban and surrounding areas to provide feedback on government’s water interventions on the challenges faced in the city. He added the reason he came to Durban was to see first-hand what plans eThekwini had in place.
According to Mashatile, eThekwini only had 10% of its water issues that needed to be resolved, while 90% of the issues had been sorted out, but he added that even with the 10% of challenges, communities were justified in their protests.
He said residents shouldn’t have sleepless nights worrying about running out of water as the city’s plans would ensure a constant water supply.
eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said R130 billion is required to upgrade water infrastructure to a desirable state.
“We are also upgrading Hammarsdale, Phoenix, Scottburgh and Ohlange Pump Stations which have been attracting more challenges when it comes to contamination of our rivers and beaches,” said the mayor.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
