DA loses bid to interdict implementation of City budget

The party approached the Durban High Court after raising concerns about the council meeting in May that approved the budget.

DA eThekwini Caucus Leader, Nicole Graham says her microphone was repeatedly muted when she tried to respond to the tabled budget.

The livestream of the session was also stopped at various points.

The DA believes because of these incidents - the meeting did not pass legal muster.

eThekwini Municipality says the application was dismissed with costs.

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Graham says she is yet to study the judgment.

"We are currently waiting for communication from our legal team. I find the ruling quite strange that this very low barometer for democracy has been set." 

"Obviously we do respect the decision of the courts but ultimately it's the role of the court to intervene where the voices of constituents are not heard," she said. 

"We represent almost half a million people in the city whose voices could not be heard in that debate because the ANC was behaving so badly." 

Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has welcomed the court outcome.

He says it's a victory for the residents of eThekwini as it allows the City to continue to implement its pro-poor budget.

Graham, says she and her team are still considering the way forward.

The party asked for May's meeting to be declared unlawful and an interdict preventing the municipality from moving ahead with the budget. 

The application was dismissed with costs. 

Graham says they respect the court's decision but found the outcome interesting.

"I dont think it sets the right standard for what is the right level of participotory democracy, particularly pertaining to the budget but it's ultimately the money of Ethekwini rate payers who we believe were short changed."