Election day Wed 4 Nov

Where the facts in this claim come from

Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.

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What does the evidence show?

Why it is Verified

The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report names eThekwini for each of these findings. In November 2024 it sent the metro a formal notice about poor toilets at the KwaDabeka transit camp. By February 2025 the metro had repaired the toilet blocks and put in chemical toilets. It added two permanent toilet buildings in November 2025. The Auditor-General says more action is being taken to fully fix the problem.

Consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes MFMA 2024-25 (opens in a new tab)

Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.

Where to look: PDF page 174 (printed page 170), bullet list under 'We highlight the main findings we reported to the accounting officers of metros related to the delivery of housing': eThekwini named for long-term registered beneficiaries not allocated housing or removed from the register; 'Completed houses unfairly allocated to beneficiaries at one metro (eThekwini)'; interim housing not meeting health and safety standards; water, sanitation and electricity not provided while waiting (eThekwini and Nelson Mandela Bay). PDF page 230 (printed page 226), box 'Refurbishment of community ablution blocks: eThekwini Metro': KwaDabeka transit camp MI notified November 2024; by February 2025 ablution blocks refurbished and chemical toilets installed; November 2025 two permanent toilet facilities; 'Further action is being taken to fully resolve the MI.'

Saved copy Official record

What did the council do, and when?

Who ran the council

Mayor: Cyril Xaba (ANC). Council run by ANC, IFP, National Freedom Party. From Jul 2024 to present.

Xaba elected as the new mayor of the eThekwini Metro Municipality (opens in a new tab)

EWN. Published 10 July 2024.

Where to look: Paragraph 1 ('has been elected as the new mayor of the eThekwini Metro Municipality'); paragraph 3 ('elected unopposed in a special council meeting')

DA and IFP set to take charge of service delivery (opens in a new tab)

The Mercury. Published 12 July 2024.

Where to look: Paragraph 4 ('ANC-designated Cyril Xaba'); paragraph 5 ('the IFP, ANC, DA and NFP, who already have a working arrangement at provincial level, extend this arrangement at a municipal level'); paragraph 6 (speaker ANC, deputy mayor NFP, MPAC EFF). Paragraph 1 is the article's first line after the photo caption.

Saved copy: kept on fileNews
Cyril Xaba, 'sober' new mayor for the eThekwini circus (opens in a new tab)

Daily Maverick. Published 10 July 2024.

Where to look: Paragraph 13 ('In Exco, the ANC has four members, the DA three, the IFP one and the other is from the National Freedom Party')

DA happy to occupy opposition benches in eThekwini as GLU negotiations fall flat (opens in a new tab)

Sunday Times. Published 28 August 2024.

Where to look: Paragraph 1 (the DA in KwaZulu-Natal 'will continue to occupy opposition benches in eThekwini'); paragraph 2 (DA-ANC coalition talks deadlocked); paragraph 6 (the DA 'was satisfied with its role of opposition in the metro')

DA turns down ANC request to co-govern eThekwini (opens in a new tab)

Daily News. Published 9 September 2024.

Where to look: Counting 'Durban — Despite working well...' as paragraph 1: paragraph 1 (the DA turned down the ANC's request to work together in eThekwini); paragraph 6 (the IFP's Mdu Nkosi chairs the Trading Services committee); paragraph 8 (Macpherson: 'in the best interests of the residents to remain in opposition')

IFP addresses accusations on its role in eThekwini Metro amid water shortages (opens in a new tab)

The Mercury. Published 31 March 2025.

Where to look: Paragraph 2 ('The IFP is part of a government of unity in the city and leads the Trading Services committee'; 'The party said it took exception to claims that, by virtue of being part of the governance structure, it is running the municipality'); paragraph 6 (IFP councillor Jonathan Annipen: 'This municipality is not run by the ANC and IFP alone' and 'just one Exco seat and a caucus of 17 members'). Paragraph 1 is the first paragraph after the standfirst and photo credit ('The IFP in the eThekwini Municipality is pushing back...').

MK will 'hoover up' eThekwini, but race could lead to a shaky coalition (opens in a new tab)

Daily Maverick. Published 14 October 2026.

Where to look: Paragraph 54 (claim by the IFP: 'Hlengwa lashed out at Hoosen for being in opposition in eThekwini but also occupying three of the city's executive committee seats'). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph ('Pollsters are predicting a major shake-up...'), after the standfirst and photo credits; section headings are not counted.

Saved copy: kept on fileNews