By Lungani Zungu
The inflow of raw sewage into the Durban beaches is opening floodgates of legal cases against eThekwini Municipality.
President of Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) Philani Mavundla, who is also the former deputy mayor of eThekwini, has joined ActionSA in its court challenge against the city over the sewage crisis.
Mavundla is also the former chairperson of the powerful human settlement and infrastructure committee, which among others, oversees the well-being of Durban infrastructure — including beaches.
ActionSA’s provincial chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Zwakele Mncwango, on Tuesday said the roping in of Mavundla would bolster the party’s case against the city.
Mncwango lodged a legal application in the Durban High Court in November over the polluted beaches. In court papers, he argued that this led to tourists snubbing Durban as a preferred destination.
He also pointed out how it led to loss of revenue for local businesses in Durban.
In court papers, Mncwango among others cited tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu, water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu, Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and environmental minister Barbara Creecy.
He asked the court to order the respondents to make a list of wastewater pump stations and treatment plants in Durban.
Mncwango said his plea for more parties to join the litigation against the city fell on eager ears.
“We are happy that a party like ABC and its president, Mavundla, have decided to join the litigation against the municipality,” said Mncwango.
The legal showdown is set for Monday in the Durban High Court and Mavundla has joined the battle as the friend of the court.
Mavundla, who was unceremoniously voted out as deputy mayor through a motion of no-confidence in December, said he would expose the municipality shortcomings in court next week.
“It can’t be that our people are exposed to the health hazards of sewer, and those in power are politicising our lives and all they care about is access to political power,” said Mavundla.
The municipality said it would oppose ActionSA’s application.
Meanwhile, there are criminal charges that were laid against three senior officials in the municipality in November over the alleged contravening of environmental pollution laws.
Pictured above: ABC leader and former eThekwini deputy mayor Philani Mavundla (wearing white t-shirt) with ActionSA provincial chairman in KZN Zwakele Mncwango
Image source: Supplied
