The ANC Regional Task Team in Nelson Mandela has come out in full support of Executive Mayor Ben Fihla's decision to axe Councillor Thembinkosi Mafana.
Mafana received a letter from Fihla on Monday relieving him of his duties within the city's mayoral committee - based on media coverage surrounding his trip to China and questions raised by opposition parties in Parliament.
Speaking at a media briefing in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, Regional Task Team Chairperson Charles Nqakula said the task team viewed the allegations against Mafana in a very serious light.
"This process is under investigation, and if on the basis of us taking it very seriously, there is clear evidence of certain things he has done, starting with the trip itself- how was it funded, we are enquiring into that and if taxpayers money was used there obviously will consequences." said Nqakula.
Meanwhile, The ANC Youth League Regional Executive Committee has called for the EFF's Thembinkosi Rawula and DA MP Nqaba Bhanga to make a public apology regarding statements made on social media and in Parliament.
Rawula reportedly asked questions several weeks ago on social media, claiming that Mafana and ANCYL Chairperson, Xolani Mgxoteni, had bragged in taverns about signing a lucrative deal with the Chinese.
The DA's Bhanga, posed questions in a parliamentary committee meeting to Cooperative Governance Minister Pravin Gordhan about the China trip and whether he was concerned about the apparent lack of proper frameworks to guide how relations with other cities were formed.
Speaking at Tuesday's briefing in Port Elizabeth, ANCYL Regional Chairperson, Xolani Mgxoteni denied that there was any signing of a lucrative deal with China and called Rawula and Bhanga "shebeen kings" spreading lies.
"We were amazed by the silence of the Executive Mayor Ben Fihla, Deputy Mayor Chippa Ngcolomba and Portfolio Chairperson of Economic Development Babalwa Lobishe on the matter, as if they know nothing about these Chinese. These comrades were made to be aware of the trip even though it was not an official trip of the municipality. To that effect these comrades have had dinners and received presents from these Chinese people." said Mgxoteni.
ANC Regional Task Team from left: Cheeky Makasi (Co-ordinator), Charles Nqakula (Convener) and Thobile Mhlahlo (member)
ANC Youth League Regional Executive Committee from left: Msikelelu Nyimbiwya (Deputy Secretary), Andiswa Mama (Secretary), Xolani Mgxoteni (Chairperson) and Lonwabo Mavayi (Deputy Chairperson)
