Supplied
Nelson Mandela Bay councillors attending a special meeting on Tuesday returned from a recess to the sad news of the passing of the ANC's Ncediso Captain.
The Speaker delivered the sombre news before Councillors from the different parties delivered messages of condolence to his family.
The death of another NMB councillor, following the passing of the UDM’s Mongameli Bobani in hospital last week also due to Covid19, comes amid a surge in the number of new cases in Nelson Mandela Bay.
In a statement on Tuesday, the NMB Municipality said that “as of 22 November 1587 people passed away due to the Coronavirus, 561 new cases were recorded and 898 (sic) living in unknown locations.”
“A total of 33 230 people had recovered from COVID-19 so far,” NMB said.
The Municipality also appealed to residents to make use of mobile testing centres situated in their areas.
It identified Motherwell/ Ikamvelihle, Soweto-on-Sea, Chatty, Walmer, New Brighton, Kwa Nobuhle and Cleary Park, as hotspots.
“The City continues to call for everyone to practice the strictest possible safety measures. Without fail, sanitise, wash hands regularly, keep a social distance of 1.5m, avoid social gatherings and wear your mask.”
Meanwhile, the Special Council meeting called for Tuesday was adjourned to early December without the election of a new mayor.
Most of the session was taken up with councillors raising concerns about their safety against Covid19 at the Feather Market Centre, one of several venues being used for the virtual meeting.
Speaking, Buyelwa Mafaya, opened the meeting with a moving statement of the impact that Covid19 has had on her after testing positive for the virus.
She also lamented reports and statements from some opposition parties following a court order that she convene a Council meeting to elect a mayor.
The Metro has been without a permanent mayor for nearly a year, after late UDM councillor and former mayor, Mongameli Bobani, was ousted in December last year.
