The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal raises concerns that provincial government water tankers are being branded with the image of Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi. Mail & Guardian reports that the DA accuses Buthelezi of using state-owned tankers for political branding, after photos show his face on the vehicles. The reports say the issue increases tensions within the province’s coalition government. IOL similarly describes a dispute in which the DA intends to raise the matter formally by submitting a parliamentary question, seeking clarity on whether the branding amounts to the use of state resources for political purposes. The two outlets agree that the images of the MEC’s face are at the centre of the controversy and that the DA is pursuing the issue through parliamentary oversight mechanisms. The reporting frames the matter as a political row over the appropriate use of government assets, without providing a determination on whether the branding is authorised or compliant with applicable rules.