PUBLIC Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson will bring his Ministerial Imbizo to Phoenix this Saturday to address the ongoing and "unbearable" water crisis plaguing the area.
The Imbizo will take place at Greenheights Primary School.
The move comes amid claims by some political figures who allege that the Imbizo was a strategic move by Macpherson to gain favour with voters ahead of the upcoming by-elections on April 16 in the Phoenix area, north of Durban.
In an interview with the Daily News, Macpherson dismissed the allegations and emphasised that the event was focused on resolving the water and electricity issues affecting Phoenix.
"The entire northern part of Durban is suffering from severe water shortages, electricity issues, and deteriorating public infrastructure that contribute to urban decay," Macpherson said.
Suburbs in the north, including Phoenix, Tongaat, and uMhlanga, have struggled with water shortages for years, leading to multiple protests at the Durban City Hall.
Macpherson explained, “The severity of these issues has been clearly communicated to my office, and I intend to hear directly from the residents themselves as the Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure, as well as the District Development Model Champion for the eThekwini Municipality.”
Regarding the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, which the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development labelled a "safety hazard", Macpherson stated that his department depended on funding from the Treasury to address such issues.
“Our department can only proceed with repairs when the necessary funds are allocated. Therefore, the budget from the Department of Justice will determine how soon we can address matters at the Verulam court,” he explained.
Macpherson also pushed back against accusations that the Imbizo was politically motivated for the DA’s benefit ahead of the by-elections.
“I find it ironic that some politicians criticise me for not taking action to help communities and then complain when I take the time to listen to them and find solutions,” Macpherson said.
“They can’t have it both ways. All my work as a government official is done in my capacity as a public servant, not as a member of any political party.”
Macpherson was one of the DA leaders invited by President Cyril Ramaphosa to join the ten-party Government of National Unity (GNU) when it was formed last year.
Thanasagren Moodley was among those who have questioned the timing of the Imbizo. In a widely shared video, Moodley remarked, "The people of Phoenix have been largely neglected by the Democratic Alliance. Their concerns about the incompetent local councillor and the water crisis have seemingly fallen on deaf ears, but now the minister has decided to host his Imbizo in Phoenix. One has to wonder why."
However, Ish Praladh, chairperson of the eThekwini Residents and Ratepayers Association, offered a different perspective on the Imbizo.
"I believe this Imbizo will lead to something positive. This isn’t just an ANC government; it’s part of the GNU. Let's give them a chance and listen to what they have to say. If they fail to deliver on their promises, we will hold them accountable," said Praladh.
Praladh also expressed hopes that the Imbizo would address the issue of the city's crumbling infrastructure, suggesting that the scope of the discussion should expand to include areas such as Chatsworth.
“We, as residents, will use this Imbizo to highlight all the issues we face, including the deteriorating infrastructure in areas like Phoenix and Chatsworth,” he said.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has been intensifying efforts to find solutions to the ongoing water crisis affecting several neighbourhoods in the city.
During last month’s eThekwini Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting, it was revealed that the city would need billions of rands to fix its water infrastructure.
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