Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Durban: The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes corruption is the reason the eThekwini municipality is paying R2,500 for a bag of samp for its soup kitchens. These 10kg bags usually cost only R100 in retail stores.
DA Mayoral Candidate Hannif Hoosen said the party has asked the Public Protector to investigate this scandal.
“Taxpayers pay R280 million every year for these kitchens. Because the prices are pushed up so high, this money is at serious risk of being stolen through corruption,” Hoosen said.
“The DA visited some of the 92 kitchens. We found them very dirty and unsafe for people’s health. A project that costs hundreds of millions of rands should be clean and well-run.”
Mariannhill: Three suspects died after a shootout with the police early on Wednesday morning, 20 May 2026.
Police had information on where to find the suspects. The men were wanted for a kidnapping and fraud case in Greenwood Park, and for having illegal guns. Police saw them driving on Milky Way Road and tried to stop them. The suspects refused to stop and drove away fast. Police chased them, and both sides started shooting. The suspects lost control of their car and hit a tree.
eThekwini: The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has praised the eThekwini Municipality for being open and honest. The committee liked how the city reported on its money, services, and management.
The Municipality, led by Mayor Cyril Xaba, went to Cape Town yesterday, 20 May 2026, to answer questions about how the city is being run.
The head of the committee, Songezo Zibi, thanked the Mayor and City Manager, Musa Mbhele. He thanked them for giving detailed information on time and for bringing the right officials to the meeting. Other committee members also said the city’s report was very open and honest.
Pictured above: Haniff Hoosen of the DA has taken the eThekwini soup kitchen scandal to the Public Protector.
Image source: DA
