Durban High Court Orders DA to Remove Water Tanker Mafia Billboard Naming eThekwini Leaders
- The Durban High Court granted an interim interdict to eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, City Manager Musa Mbhele, and former water head Ednick Msweli over a DA billboard
- The Democratic Alliance erected the billboard along the N2 in late September, featuring photographs of the three officials alongside a phrase about a water tanker mafia
- Judge DJ Nzimande ruled that the interdict shields the officials from reputational harm without unjustifiably restricting the DA's right to free speech
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DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL— The Durban High Court issued a temporary restraint ordering the Democratic Alliance (DA) to halt promotional campaigns linking municipal leaders in KwaZulu-Natal to criminal private water distribution cartels.
According to SABC News, the court action arose from a roadside advertisement installed beside the N2 freeway in late September. The structure displayed likenesses of Xaba, Mbhele, and Msweli next to phrasing calling on the public to stop the "water tanker mafia". Although the display was taken down shortly after installation, the three leaders launched judicial action, alleging that the billboard, alongside connected online posts and media releases, tarnished their character.
View the billboard that the DA posted on X here:
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Court stops DA's water mafia messaging
Judge DJ Nzimande concluded that emergency protection was justified to shield the applicants from permanent damage to their personal and professional standing. The court clarified that the restriction does not unlawfully restrict the political organisation's right to speak freely. Per the ruling, the DA cannot issue or republish any material implying that Xaba, Mbhele, or Msweli participate in, condone, or financially gain from illegal water supply operations.
The party described the court order as a favourable outcome for governance oversight. Speaking outside the court, DA representative Haniff Hoosen noted that the ruling explicitly confirms the party's right to continuously challenge local leadership over eThekwini's severe service failures, persistent leaks, and lost municipal water.
The Democratic Alliance is no stranger to controversial billboards. Earlier this year, the party's Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille and the party's Gauteng chairperson Solly Msimanga launched a billboard attacking Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The billboard took a dig at the African National Congress and the province's water crisis.
DA files charges against Tshwane mayor
In a related article, Briefly News reported on the criminal cases filed by the EFF and DA against City of Tshwane officials over the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis. Mayor Nasiphi Moya acknowledged the city’s negligence and said she accepted responsibility.
More than 400 people have reportedly experienced gastrointestinal illness after water was supplied without chlorine for weeks. Officials have warned that boiling the water does not make it safe to use.
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Source: Briefly News
