Phiwokuhle Mothemela
Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, has confirmed that Gary van Niekerk has been suspended from his position as deputy mayor.
This followed his appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, on charges related to cybercrime and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act.
His court appearance and what action should be taken was a major focus of the last council meeting of the year in the Feather Market Centre.
After debate and deliberation that went into the evening, Lobishe confirmed that a decision was taken to suspend Van Niekerk after the matter was placed on the confidential ‘green paper’.
She said the matter was also referred to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams.
“Remember, there are functions that are delegated to his office, and if we are going to continue as if nothing has happened it’s going to hamper some of the functions allocated to him,” mayor Lobishe said.
She said Van Niekerk would remain an ordinary councillor.
