The United Democratic Movement is threatening to pull out of the DA-led coalition in Nelson Mandela Bay if Mongameli Bobani is not reinstated as Deputy Executive Mayor.
Bobani was effectively axed yesterday following a motion of no confidence tabled by Progressive Alliance councillor, Marlon Daniels, and seconded by DA councillor, Nqaba Bhanga.
Opposition parties walked out of Council Chambers, with the ANC warning of possible legal action or a petition to the Speaker to convene another Council meeting to reverse the decision.
Bobani said the matter was now being dealt with by the political principles at a national level who entered into a coalition agreement after last August's local government election.
“We are going to write a letter to the DA asking them to reinstate Bobani and then we are also going to give them until the 28 August. If they do not reinstate Bobani we are going to pull out of the coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay," said UDM secretary-general, Bongani Msomi.
Meanwhile, the Congress of the People (COPE) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan said supported the Motion of No Confidence in Bobani because of “a number of issues faced by the coalition government made up of COPE, ACDP, DA and UDM.”
“COPE feels strongly that the decision is in the best interests of the People of Nelson Mandela Bay and the country. A Coalition Partner who has consistently voted with the ANC and who continued to violate the co-governance agreement had to go,” said councillor, Siyasanda Sijadu.
“It had come to our attention that there are a number of corruption allegations against Cllr Bobani. It was also becoming very apparent that he was no longer driving a mandate given to him by his party, but one of personal destruction fuelled by ambition,” she said.
She said as a party that is for the people by the people guided by solid political principle, this could no longer be condoned.
“The decision is difficult but it is a decision that had to be made,” said Sijadu.
