DA calls for criminal charges against Nelson Mandela Metro mayor

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The official opposition in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro has called for criminal charges to be laid against executive mayor, Benson Fihla.

This, over his alleged political interference in the work of the municipal manager, Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela, who resigned on Wednesday after being appointed four months ago.

She spent two of those four months on sick leave after complaining to Local Government MEC, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, of interference by the mayor and his deputy, Chippa Ngcolomba.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, DA caucus leader in the Metro, Leon de Villiers, says he's written to Qoboshiyane to take action to immediately stabilise the administration of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

The DA has demanded the following from the MEC:

1. Consider invoking Section 139 (1) (c) of the Constitution, thereby dissolving Council and appointing an administrator to stabilise the administration of the municipality forthwith;

2. In the alternative, instructing the NMBM Speaker to call an immediate emergency meeting of Council which you should attend and inter alia address Council on the following issues:

The appointment of a suitably qualified Acting City Manager;
The process to be followed and the guidance and assistance your department shall provide in respect of the appointment of a permanent City Manager;

The appointment of suitably qualified Acting Executive Directors (Section-57 Employees);
The process to be followed and the guidance and assistance your department shall provide in respect of the appointment of permanent Executive Directors (Section-57 Employees);

Your decision as to the legality of the Council Meeting held on the 24th of July 2013.

3. Immediate action (which should inter alia include criminal charges being brought) against the Executive Mayor and his deputy for their ongoing political interference into the administration of this institution of which you have documentary proof.