ActionSA, a political party founded by former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba, has recently expressed its strong opposition to the decision made by the eThekwini Municipality to allocate a whopping R22 million towards a statues project. This decision has sparked widespread criticism and outrage among citizens, who believe that the funds could have been better utilized for more pressing issues in the municipality. The eThekwini Municipality, which encompasses the city of Durban, has been facing numerous challenges in recent years, including high unemployment rates, poor service delivery, and a struggling economy. In light of these issues, the decision to allocate such a large sum of money towards a statues project has been met with disbelief and disappointment. ActionSA has been at the forefront of this opposition, with Mashaba himself leading the charge. In a statement released by the party, Mashaba stated that the decision to allocate R22 million towards statues is a clear indication of the municipality's misplaced priorities. He further added that this decision is a slap in the face of the struggling residents of eThekwini, who are in dire need of basic services and infrastructure. The statues project, which aims to erect statues of prominent figures in the city, has been met with mixed reactions from the public. While some argue that it will boost tourism and honor the city's history, others believe that the funds could have been used for more practical purposes, such as improving healthcare facilities or creating job opportunities. ActionSA has also raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. The party has called for a full breakdown of the costs involved in the project and has demanded that the municipality provide a detailed explanation as to why such a large sum of money was allocated towards it. Furthermore, ActionSA has highlighted the fact that the municipality is already facing financial constraints, with a budget deficit of over R3 billion. This raises serious questions about the feasibility of the statues project and whether it is a wise use of taxpayers' money. In light of these concerns, ActionSA has called on the eThekwini Municipality to reconsider its decision and redirect the allocated funds towards more pressing issues. The party has also urged the municipality to engage with the community and take their opinions into consideration before making any further decisions. It is clear that the decision to allocate R22 million towards a statues project has not been well received by the public, and ActionSA's opposition to it is a reflection of the growing frustration and dissatisfaction among citizens. The party has vowed to continue fighting for the rights and needs of the people of eThekwini and to hold the municipality accountable for its actions. In conclusion, ActionSA's opposition to the decision by the eThekwini Municipality to allocate R22 million towards a statues project is a clear indication of the party's commitment to putting the needs of the people first. The party's stance on this issue is a testament to its values of transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. It is time for the municipality to listen to the voices of the people and prioritize their needs over unnecessary and extravagant projects.