By Sihle Mavuso
The controversial ANC mayor of eThekwini, Mxolisi Kaunda, has made comments that may strain the relationship between his municipality and the Eastern Cape government.
On Wednesday, Kaunda told a municipal gathering on water issues at the Durban International Convention Centre that the Eastern Cape government should surrender part of its budget to him as he is serving the people from that province.
Kaunda said people from the Eastern Cape are flocking to Durban and the city’s R65.5-billion rand budget is not enough.
“We need your money because your people are here,” Kaunda said, drawing murmurs from the crowd. “They are looking for greener pastures, and they are looking for opportunities and jobs. That on its own creates an element of decay.”
In 2012 former Western Cape premier Helen Zille was criticised for calling students from the Eastern Cape “education refugees”.
She said a significant number of children were coming from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape to improve their chances of a decent education, but later apologised for making them feel excluded.
Pictured above: Mxolisi Kaunda.
Image source: X
