The party argues that the billboard wrongly suggests that residents in Tshwane and Gauteng are experiencing a widespread water crisis. ANC regional secretary George Matjila said the DA has been spreading false claims about the city’s finances and service delivery, particularly exaggerating water shortages.
Matjila said the ANC-led government is working to resolve water supply challenges and address service delivery problems, many of which he claims stem from the DA’s eight-year administration. He accused the former DA-led government of racialised service delivery, neglected infrastructure and financial mismanagement that resulted in mounting debt, poor audit outcomes and failing services, especially in township areas.
However, DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink defended the billboard during its unveiling. Brink said spending on water tankers has risen sharply since the DA and its coalition partners were removed from power, increasing from under R200 million to more than R1 billion. He also claimed that water losses have grown from 32% to 40% within a year. According to Brink, the current leadership has opted to provide water through tankers instead of ensuring it flows from taps.
Matjila responded by stating that the use of water tankers began under the DA administration and that the current ANC-led government is working towards reducing and eventually eliminating their use. He further accused the DA of trying to link Tshwane’s challenges with those of Johannesburg and the Gauteng provincial government in an attempt to portray failure where the ANC governs.
The billboard also targets Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, depicting him showering in formal clothing to suggest he is disconnected from residents facing water shortages.
Last month, Lesufi addressed the issue and said he too experiences the inconvenience of water shortages, explaining that he sometimes has to use hotel facilities to prepare for official commitments. He later apologised for any misunderstanding or offence caused by his remarks, acknowledging that they may have been interpreted as suggesting water challenges affect people differently based on social status.
Meanwhile, DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille criticised the ANC leadership, saying Lesufi’s comments show he is out of touch with residents who have gone weeks or months without water.
About The Author
