PORT ELIZABETH, March (ANA) - Following threats by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to get rid of Nelson Mandela Executive Mayor, Athol Trollip, because of his party’s stance on land, opposition parties in the city have now moved to dissolve the Democratic Alliance-led coalition government structure in its entirety.
According to documents seen by African News Agency, the African Independent Congress (AIC) backed by the EFF, filed a notice of intent to move a motion aimed at sacking the entire coalition structure.
The document submitted on Wednesday, show plans to unseat Council Speaker Jonathan Lawack.
In the documents, the AIC and EFF claim that Lawack failed in his duties by not enforcing council rules consistently and fairly.
The documents signed by Tshonono Buyeye (AIC) and Zilindile Vena (EFF) stated that Lawack acted bias towards opposition councillors to the benefit of the DA.
“In this regard, the majority of opposition parties have lost confidence in the Speaker.”
They are seeking to table a motion of no confidence against Lawack and want the reappointment of a new Speaker.
Opposition parties also want to move a motion to rescind a council decision that dissolved the Office of the Deputy Executive Mayor.
They believe the vacancy “may hamper service delivery” in the Metro.
Mongameli Bobani of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) was ousted as the Deputy Executive Mayor during August last year at a council meeting.
The position has remained vacant.
The documents further cite in point form that the majority of councillors, with a total of 61 signatories, aim to dismantle the entire coalition government structure in the city.
It has become abundantly clear that 61 councillors made of the African National Congress (ANC) with 50 seats; the EFF with six seats; UDM with two seats; and the Patriotic Alliance, AIC and United Front, who each hold one seat -- want Trollip out.
They want the current portfolio heads of council committees to be removed and the appointment of new portfolio heads.
Opposition councillors also want the Chief Whip of Council Werner Senekal ousted and a new Chief Whip appointed.
The councillors are requesting that a special council meeting takes place on March 29.
The coalition government in the Metro, made up of the DA, Congress of the People (Cope), and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) hold 59 seats of the total 120-member council.
The move by the opposition parties comes after Malema announced his party would vote against Trollip if the ANC put forward a credible leader.
If the ANC does this, the EFF will use its voting power in the Nelson Mandela Bay Council to oust Trollip, essentially placing the ANC back in power.
Malema‚ who has been championing expropriation of land without compensation‚ said they would punish the DA if their attitude on land did not change.
-African News Agency (ANA)
