Durban name changes may not stick

While some in Durban are just beginning to get used to the change of street names and buildings, the city could soon find itself being forced to go back to the original names.

The eThekwini municipality's two main opposition parties on Sunday revealed that they were considering taking the council to court over what they described as the lack of procedural process during street and building renaming.

The IFP and the DA said a landmark Supreme Court of Appeal ruling, which restored the name of Louis Trichardt, had given them courage to challenge the naming process.

The Supreme Court of Appeal last week ruled that the northern Limpopo town of Makhado would change back to Louis Trichardt.

The court ruled in favour of an appeal by a group of businessmen who took the matter to court complaining that proper processes were not followed when the name was changed in 2003.

Councillor Zandile Gumede, who chairs the committee that deals with the issue of renaming, said the municipality was confident that it would win any court challenge against it regarding renaming, adding that everything the municipality did was within the ambit of the law.

"We have heard about the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling and we do not fear anything because we follow proper channels when we rename streets and buildings," said Gumede.

The eThekwini municipality has in the past been accused of sidelining residents when renaming streets or government buildings.

IFP senior leader in eThekwini region, Thembi Nzuza, said her party believed that the ruling had set a precedent.

The ANC-led municipality has already renamed eight streets, two iconic buildings and a stadium after its stalwarts.

DA caucus leader John Steenhuisen said his party was considering working with the IFP to challenge the municipality.