uThukela service delivery crisis puts DA-IFP partnership in murky waters

Service delivery issues in the uThukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal have dented the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s working relationship with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal.  

The DA has accused the IFP of failing to maintain some of the agreements reached when they decided to support each other across several municipalities.

Provincial party bosses have added their voice to the local leaders, claiming that despite several attempts to compel the municipality to deliver water, their pleas fell on deaf ears.  

For years, the district municipality has battled to supply water to areas such as Loskop situated in the Langelibalele local municipality.  

In 2023, a South African Human Rights report said the IFP-led uTthukela District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands violated rights to water, with systematic disruptions causing a crisis. 

The commission also flagged that the water infrastructure installed in 2016 has been dry since 2019. 

On Wednesday, the DA announced failures of the party it supports to run the rural municipality.  

“It is our view that it is not good news that the IFP in the uThukela district municipality under Inkosi Shabalala as a mayor has dismally failed to honour the service delivery pact signed by both parties,” said DA's uThukela constituency head, Maliyakhe Shelembe

EWN has reached out to the IFP for comment, but we have yet to receive a response.