DA’s legal battle with City over appointments set for February 2026

The legal dispute between the DA and the eThekwini Municipality over the recent appointment of three executive directors is set to proceed in February 2026.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

The DA initially approached the Durban High Court on an urgent basis, seeking an interim interdict referred to as Part A to restrain the eThekwini Municipality Council, Mayor Cyril Xaba, and Municipality Manager Musa Mbhele from implementing the municipal council's decision of November 13.

This decision appointed Lindokuhle Mkhize, Cyril Bhekinkosi Mkhize, and Ednick Msweli to senior roles.

Lindokuhle was appointed as the executive director of Operations Management, Bhekinkosi as the executive director of Public Safety, and Msweli as the executive director of Technical Services.

The application listed the municipal council, the mayor, the municipal manager, the three newly appointed directors, and the KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as respondents.

In addition to the urgent relief, the party also sought a main order referred to as Part B, to be heard later, to review and set aside the appointments, declaring them invalid and inconsistent with the Constitution.