Algoa FM
Factional politics within the Defenders of People (DOP) could threaten the current Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) coalition government.
A small group of DOP members stormed into the Gqeberha City Hall on Monday to demand that the City Manager remove two of their councillors who were sent letters of expulsion.
DOP's two councillors, Thukela Zumani and Florence Hermaans form part of the coalition government that is currently at the helm of the city.
The coalition made up of the DA, UDM, ACDP, PAC, FF+, African Independent Congress (AIC), Defenders of the People(DOP), Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM), Good Party and Northern Alliance signed an agreement in July.
The coalition has 62 seats in the council which means it could collapse if DOP pulls out.
Spokesperson, Thembinkosi Rhawula, says that the two members defied party rules by not paying over 50 % of their first salaries to the party as it was conditional.
"Now we have served the Municipality on an urgent application as a first respondent, the IEC has a second respondent including the likes of Thukela. Ten days have lapsed and the Municipality has not responded. Now there are two options for the Municipality, it's either you respond to court papers and oppose the matter if you want to or act in terms of the request," he added.
He says they asked the Metro to declare their vacancies back in February, and also sent another letter recently.
Meanwhile, Rhawula says while DOP leadership does not recognise the coalition, it first wants to meet with the partners to discuss the terms and conditions of the agreement before making decisions.
He says that the priority is to take the two councillors out of office, replace them and then have coalition agreement discussions.
