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There has been a changing of the guard in the Nelson Mandela Bay Council where the DA's Retief Odendaal was ousted as executive mayor in a motion of no confidence at a Special Council Meeting.
He was succeeded on Friday by former Speaker, Gary van Niekerk, of the Northern Alliance, who was elected after the EFF’s resubmitted motion, supported by the ANC and Patriotic Alliance, saw Odendaal Deputy Mayor, Khusta Jack and Chief Whip, Bill Harrington of the FFPlus, being ousted.
Van Niekerk garnered 64 votes against the 55 of Odendaal, who had accepted the nomination to stand again.
In his acceptance speech he said he humbly accepted “the important responsibility to take charge of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, an institution named after a global political icon.”
“This internationally recognised brand is now also associated with below average service delivery, political mayhem, finger pointing and instability.”
Van Niekerk said; “We have seen devious political campaigns by those trying to cling to power by abusing the desperation of the poor and disenfranchised to instigate protest and destabilise a democratic process of leadership change.”
He said the new government would not be deterred by what he said was a feeble attempt to instigate defiance and dissent. “We remain resolute to win the confidence and the trust of the people.”
Meanwhile, Van Niekerk also pledged to work to create stability in the City and to address the challenges associated with load shedding.
“We need to work hard towards the implementation of alternatives to soften the blow of the rolling blackouts. Industry struggles to meet production targets and we are facing a dark winter if Eskom’s latest statements are anything to go by,” he added.
“Load shedding mitigation measures will feature high on the agenda,” Van Niekerk said.
The newly elected mayor also pledged to address issues affecting the communities in the City’s Northern Areas, where gangsterism remains rife.
Van Niekerk said senior management of the Municipality will convene a strategic session as soon as possible to develop a strategy plan for my first 100 days in office.
“Our intention is to come up with a unified strategy that will be implemented throughout my tenure as the executive mayor. This will including beefing up safety and security under the leadership of a strong MMC who will not blame the lack of leadership in his Department but instead take responsibility for the successes and challenges of that critical department.”
Van Niekerk said other pressing matters included “the mounting pressure on the municipality to look at the implementation of the Employment Equity Act and the fairness of current employment processes will also be part of our deliberations.”
ANC regional chairperson, Babalwa Lobishe, who was sworn in earlier in the day as a councillor, is the Deputy Mayor while ANC councillor, Wandisile Jikeka is the new Chief Whip.
