Mantashe says no political tensions between Nelson Mandela Bay mayor and city manager ...

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

ANC secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, has suggested that there are no tensions between Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor Benson Fihla and newly appointed city manager, Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela.

He was speaking at a media briefing in New Brighton on Thursday following a series of party political meetings in the Metro.

Responding to a question about recent reports of political interference by the mayor in the administrative work of the municipal manger, Mantashe said what he has a problem with is the description of interaction between the city manager and the mayor as political interference.

He says they should be working together.

"That is not interference, that is complimentary of the roles they are playing. The city manager and executive mayor (they) must work very close together because that technical work that is being done in the administration must compliment the political leadership priority from the mayoral office," he said.

"Therefore, we actually demystify the misuse of the term political interference and said what are the problems, tell us what the problems are, that is where we can deal with the issues."

Recently city manager, Lindiwe Msengana- Ndlela, wrote to Eastern Cape Local Government MEC, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, to complain about alleged political interference in her work.

This, primarily related to legal action underway on a tender related to the Metro's integrated transport system.