Latest news with #ZwakeleMncwango
The Herald
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
ActionSA demands apology after Macpherson allegedly calls black people 'hobos'
ActionSA has expressed concern about DA KwaZulu-Natal chair Dean Macpherson after he allegedly referred to a group of black people as 'hobos' during recent court proceedings in Pietermaritzburg. The DA and ActionSA took the city to the Durban High Court over a sewage problem on Thursday and things turned sour between the two parties. According to IOL, Macpherson allegedly told a reporter that ActionSA provincial chairperson Zwakele Mncwango had denied calling the police to disperse 'hobos', which he claimed ActionSA had recruited to come to the court to pose as its members while picketing. In a letter written to Macpherson, Mncwango said using the word 'hobos' to refer to black people is 'deeply offensive and dehumanising'. 'Whether or not this term was used with racial intent, the impact of your words cannot be separated from the painful racial history of South Africa,' Mncwango said. 'Referring to a group of predominantly Black South Africans using a term historically associated with poverty, disposability and social worthlessness is not only deeply offensive, it is dehumanising. 'In a country still grappling with the scars of apartheid, where the dignity of black people was systematically stripped for decades, language like this is more than an insult — it's a racial affront.' He said it sends a message that black people can be reduced to derogatory labels when politically opposed. 'Even if you did not mean harm, the effect of your words and actions have caused real pain and reinforced racial hierarchies that many of us are fighting to dismantle. 'Dismissing ActionSA members — who are citizens, voters, and human beings — as hobos based on their appearance or political alignment is undignified, unacceptable and racist.' The party condemned Macpherson's conduct during the court proceedings, where he allegedly instructed black DA leaders to vacate their front-row seats for white and Indian members. Mncwango called on Macpherson to issue a public apology. Failure to do so would confirm that he accepted the label of being called a racist, Mncwango said. 'It is clear that you are obsessed with ActionSA and its leadership. While I do not mind your political fixation on the party, I will never accept racism against black people in any form, whether subtle or overt.' TimesLIVE
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ActionSA prepares for court battle against eThekwini Municipality over sewage crisis
ActionSA's KZN provincial chairperson Zwakele Mncwango has been at the forefront in the fight against the eThekwini Municipality over sewage pollution. Image: Tumi Pakkies Independent Newspapers The legal battle between ActionSA and the eThekwini Municipality over the municipality's failure to address sewage pollution is set to commence at the Durban High Court next week. The case will be heard on July 24 and 25. ActionSA said it was pleased that the matter is finally before the courts and was looking forward to the opportunity to fight this long-overdue battle on behalf of all residents of eThekwini. In a statement, the party said, 'Following long-term failures to resolve its sewage crisis, ActionSA filed papers in 2022 against eThekwini Municipality, citing violations of the constitutionally enshrined rights of eThekwini residents to a safe and clean environment and their right to economic development." ActionSA said the sewage crisis has profoundly impacted the city, leading to the frequent closure of beaches due to high E. coli levels, the pollution of water systems, and communities suffering the indignity of sewage overflows. The impact on the domestic economy has been devastating, with annual tourist visits to eThekwini dropping from 15 million in 2015 to less than 800,000 in 2023, the party said. ActionSA's legal action seeks to have the court declare the failures of the eThekwini Municipality unconstitutional and to compel the municipality to produce a turnaround plan for the crisis, which will be made a time-bound order of court. If ActionSA is successful, the party stated, either the sewage crisis will be resolved, or senior eThekwini Municipality officials will face jail time for contempt of court if they deviate from the court-ordered turnaround plan. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The party explained that in 2024, the Democratic Alliance filed similar papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. However the court had decided to join DA's legal action to ActionSA's case. 'It is clear from the past few years that the eThekwini Municipality has not resolved this issue and is indifferent to the constitutional violations of the rights of its residents. 'ActionSA has committed itself to focus on this kind of work to demonstrate its commitment to reversing the collapse of the basic service delivery infrastructure in many municipalities across South Africa. This case is a vital demonstration of our long-term commitment to this principle and the residents of eThekwini,' said the statement. THE MERCURY
The Herald
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
ActionSA branch launch in eThekwini cut short after shooting incident
ActionSA's launch of a new branch in eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal was suspended on Sunday after a shooting incident. The incident took place in full view of party president Herman Mashaba and provincial chair Zwakele Mncwango. Party members scurried for cover as one of the gunmen who arrived in a Toyota Quantum fired shots inside the venue. Some party members managed to disarm the gunman. Mcwango confirmed the incident and said the men stormed the meeting venue and started shooting. 'We managed to disarm the suspects and took them to Sydenham police station,' he said. Mncwango said the branch launch had to be cancelled because members were terrified. He said they want the suspects to reveal who sent them. Mncwango has many enemies in the province for his stance against corruption in the provincial government and eThekwini municipality. He has spoken out against corruption in the department of health and education in the province and eThekwini municipality officials who are allegedly implicated in fraud and corruption. In a media statement on Sunday, Mncwango said they were left with the difficult decision to cancel the planned branch launch for Ward 25 in eThekwini after a violent and deeply concerning attack on their activists. 'Several shots were fired during the incident, and fortunately, the perpetrator was successfully disarmed. Unfortunately, one of our activists was physically assaulted and sustained injuries during the altercation. Due to the seriousness of these attacks and in the interest of ensuring the safety of our members and activists, including our president Herman Mashaba, we made the difficult decision to cancel the branch launch,' he said. Mncwango said this incident serves as a stark reminder of the history of political intolerance in KwaZulu-Natal. 'It is a direct infringement on the rights of South Africans to freely support the political party of their choice without fear of intimidation or violence,' he said. He said that as they approach the 2026 local government elections, they are calling on all political parties and their members to foster an environment of respect and tolerance. 'It is a shame that in our quest to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans, we have found ourselves under attack for simply engaging with communities,' said Mncwango. He said they have opened a criminal case at the Sydenham police station. The suspect and his co-accused are expected to appear in court on Tuesday. 'I believe this gunman was sent by someone who is trying to intimidate us. What they are doing is not going to succeed,' he said. Mncwango said they will follow the case until the end. KwaZulu-Natal police had not responded to questions sent to them by TimesLIVE. The story will be updated with their comment when received. TimesLIVE
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Controversial R70. 9 billion budget approved by eThekwini Municipality
The eThekwini Municipality approved a R70.9 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year at the ICC The eThekwini Municipality approved a R70.9 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex on Thursday. This decision comes after Mayor Cyril Xaba presented the budget on Monday, where he highlighted key priorities such as infrastructure development, job creation, and enhanced service delivery. However, while the budget was passed, several political parties including ActionSA, the United Independent Movement and the Democratic Alliance (DA) rejected the budget, arguing that it "fails to adequately address the needs of our citizens." "The budget fails to provide sufficient funding for critical services such as public transport, crime prevention, and land management. The allocation for public transport is insufficient to address the needs of our growing city, and the lack of funding for crime prevention will make the situation worse. "Thirdly, the municipality's financial management is a major concern, " KZN Action SA leader Zwakele Mncwango said.
TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Mncwango spread false info over fan park tender: eThekwini mayor Xaba
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba has warned ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal leader Zwakele Mncwango against spreading 'false information' about the tender process for the Nedbank Cup final fan parks. The city set up two public viewing areas (PVAs) at the Durban beachfront and Albert Park to accommodate supporters who weren't able to buy tickets for the Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium earlier this month. The build-up to the match was marred by safety concerns in and outside the stadium after disappointed fans threatened to force their way inside the stadium or to protest in its vicinity when it emerged that online ticket providers Open Tickets and Computicket had over-issued more than 10,000 tickets above the stadium capacity. While this was swiftly corrected and refunds were promised, some fans had already made travel and accommodation arrangements from Gauteng and elsewhere, prompting the city to host the free fan parks. Mncwango, like many other organisations, welcomed the initiative but also called for transparency and accountability around processes followed in issuing the tender. The ActionSA caucus leader in eThekwini council submitted questions to city manager Musa Mbhele, mainly seeking details about the service provider, the procurement processes followed to appoint it, as well as the money spent.
