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The Democratic Alliance’s, Nqaba Bhanga, has been officially elected as the mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay, following a court-ordered process.
The party's provincial leader secured 62 of the 119 votes, beating the EFF's Amandlagawethu Madaka (57) to reclaim the mayoral seat.
One council seat remains vacant and will be filled after a by-election.
Proceedings on Thursday were due to begin a 10 am but were adjourned until 1 pm apparently due to ‘logistical’ reasons.
There was another break after the meeting resumed and the two candidates nominated to allow parties to consider their vote.
Bhanga’s return to the mayoral hot-seat following an out-of-court settlement with the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Xolile Nqatha.
The MEC had filed papers to challenge Bhanga’s earlier election at a chaotic Council meeting where the Speaker, Buyelwa Mafaya, was apparently abducted by three men and she later adjourned the meeting from the hospital.
In a speech after his election, he paid tribute to former party stalwarts like late DA councillor, Eddie Trent and MPL, Bobby Stevenson, as well as ANC leaders Raymond Mhlaba and Govan Mbeki.
