"I always put the interest of the Metro first" - Wayile

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Axed Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor, Zanoxolo Wayile, said during his tenure he had always tried to put the interest of the Metro and its people first.

Speaking to Algoa FM News on Monday morning, Wayile, confirmed that he, and deputy mayor Nancy Sihlwayi, had been redeployed to parliament and Bhisho respectively following a decision by the ANC at national level.

Wayile's axing comes on the heels of the resignation of ANC regional chairperson in Nelson Mandela Bay, Nceba Faku, with whom he has had a long-standing and acrimonius battle.

"Since I came in I tried my level best to ensure that I put the interest of the city and the people of the Metro, including across colour lines, first. Mine was to serve it was not about the title. Title's come and go but the honour to serve people remains there," Wayile said.

He said he hopes to have a media briefing on Wednesday at which he "will be able to respond in detail and also begin to indicate to the people of the Metro and the stakeholders as to what is it that should be the way forward in terms of handling the situation including the developmental trajectory of the Metro."

Wayile said he he has done his best "in a very abnormal situation which has been man made." "I must say I'm very strong, energetic and all the temptations that I must away from the principles of good governance ... have not made an impact on my life and my political belief and who I am spiritually."

"So, all (that) I can say, I've taken this very strongly and I remain very firm and strong because I have not betrayed the ANC, I've not betrayed the people of the Metro and I've not betrayed the principle of good governance. I may have been the victim of some people who felt that I'm a stumbling block," Wayile said.

The ANC says it will issue a formal statement on the axing of Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor Zanoxolo Wayile late on Monday afternoon after meeting party structures.