The Auditor General of South Africa said the project cost had ballooned by R143 million because of poor planning and project management

The team’s work was previously torpedoed by resistance from ANC eThekwini councillors

ANC mayoral candidate Cyril Xaba has already replaced Mxolisi Kaunda as a councillor

It is not clear whether the ANC will vote with its government of national unity partners

Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is expected to deliver the city’s consolidated budget, as well as announce property rates, electricity and water price increases for 2024-25, on Friday This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

Many if not most South Africans welcome the decline of electoral support for the ANC. But the alarming reality is that the alternatives could be far worse

Filth, frequent electricity and water outages and grotesque E-Coli levels in rivers have angered businesses and residents

Vehicles were stoned on Umgeni Road on Monday morning, while reports of workers sabotaging water pipelines were also received

Opposition from the ANC eThekwini region and a lack of clarity from above put paid to the attempt to intervene in the city