The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the race to lead eThekwini has narrowed down to two parties, the DA and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
The party made the claim in a statement issued today, Monday by Dean Macpherson MP, the DA’s KwaZulu-Natal chairperson.
Macpherson pointed to polling by SABI Strategy Group, published by News24 yesterday.
He said it “proved beyond doubt” that the contest has narrowed to the DA and the MKP.
“What the polling shows is that the DA is now the only party big enough to stop an MK Mayor in eThekwini, which would be disastrous for the city and its residents, who have suffered so much already,” he said.
He also said no other party will be big enough to challenge the MKP in a meaningful way.
“Only a party that qualifies to be on the Executive Committee can be considered to be elected the mayor. No small party will make this hurdle,” he said.
Macpherson urged voters not to back smaller parties.
“In essence, every vote for a small party will only embolden the MKP when the race is so narrow between the DA and the MK,” he said.
The DA has named Haniff Hoosen as its mayoral candidate. Macpherson said Hoosen is ready to fix the city’s water and sewage problems.
“The DA is ready to elect Haniff Hoosen as the next Mayor of eThekwini and keep the MK at bay. Hoosen is ready to get the city working for all and solve the water and sewage crisis once and for all,” he said.
Macpherson admitted that polls only show a moment in time. But he said they give residents hope.
“While polls are a snapshot in time, they give the residents of eThekwini hope that a DA mayor and rescue plan is within reach, but only if voters turn intentions into support, and don’t waste their votes on parties that can never be mayor and help MK get elected,” he said.