DA, IFP clash over MEC’s face on KZN state water tankers

The DA has accused KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi of using state-owned water tankers for political branding after images of his face appeared on the vehicles, deepening tension in the province’s coalition government

Tension between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal’s government of provincial unity are escalating before the November local government elections, with the DA accusing Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi of using state resources for political branding.

The DA said it would submit parliamentary questions after images surfaced of government-owned water tankers bearing Buthelezi’s face.

“The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal will be submitting a written parliamentary question over branding of government resources,” said newly-elected provincial DA leader Sithembiso Ngema. “This as the DA has seen images of department water tankers branded with KZN Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi’s face.”

Ngema said that branding government vehicles with the image of a politician blurred the line between the state and party politics.