Nelson Mandela Bay council; Speaker Jonathan Lewack, then Mayor Athol Trollip and then deputy mayor, UDM's Mongameli Bobani in happier times in 2016. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Brian Witbooi) Date Created:
The Nelson Mandela Bay council has removed the UDM’s Mongameli Bobani as its deputy mayor, reports Herald Live.
The motion was brought by Patriotic Alliance councillor Marlon Daniels and 60 votes were ultimately counted in favour of it, with support from the DA, Cope and ACDP.
Mayor Athol Trollip and Bobani’s working relationship had broken down entirely.
Several opposition parties, including the ANC and the EFF, were reportedly incensed by both the motion and the result and walked out of the council chamber while voting was taking place.
They apparently did this in an attempt to cancel the sitting’s quorom, but city manager Johann Mettler argued that even though they were walking out, they were still physically present and results could therefore be declared.
The ANC said this had, however, been a “serious misinterpretation” of the council rules and they would look at legal options to challenge it.
Bobani refused to accept the result while the EFF declared the decision “illegal and a criminal act”.
It had earlier been reported that UDM leader Bantu Holomisa was upset about the move against his deputy mayor and has called for coalitions where he and other kingmakers such as the EFF in councils where they have allowed the DA to govern withdraw their support for DA-led governments.
Should this happen, new elections may have to be called in Pretoria and Johannesburg.