The Nelson Mandela Bay council finds itself in turmoil again after city manager Noxolo Nqwazi declared two vacancies for the National Alliance with the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC), possibly leaving the city without a mayor.
The Nelson Mandela Bay metro was plunged into political chaos on Monday night as the city manager declared the seats of Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk and his MMC for Safety and Security vacant. This came at a crucial juncture as the city manager faces a possible disciplinary hearing for her.
The Hawks are investigating a case of fraud after Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Gary van Niekerk enlisted the services of legal firm Boqwana Burns Incorporated (BBI) in 2022 while his position as councillor was up in the air.
Though he was not the speaker of the Nelson Mandela Bay council for five months in 2022, National Alliance president Gary van Niekerk used the official letterhead and signatory of the office to appoint a law firm and rack up R551,586 worth of legal bills.
Amid a tense council meeting beset with delays caused by bickering and frivolous points of order, Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Gary van Niekerk survived a motion of no confidence on Tuesday night.