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The leader of the United Democratic Movement Bantu Holomisa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu)
- UDM leader Bantu Holomisa says Nelson Mandela Bay’s coalition government is more stable than ever.
- On Thursday, the district attorney’s Nqaba Bhanga beat Amandlangawethu Madaka of the EFF to win the chain of mayors.
- Earlier this month, the court ordered the Nelson Mandela Bay council to convene a special council meeting to elect a new mayor.
UDM leader General Bantu Holomisa said that the re-election of Nqaba Bhanga as mayor was a demonstration of the stability of the coalition government.
Holomisa spoke to News24 a day after Bhanga beat EFF’s Amandlangawethu Madaka by 62 votes to 57 during a two-horse race for the hot seat.
The DA is in coalition with the UDM, COPE, the UF and AIC.
“As I said before, this was an academic exercise, other fellows don’t have numbers, the government is about numbers, the coalition is more stable with no loose ends. They have already tested us twice and we have proven to be up to the task.
“The ANC was stronger before because of the UDM. His downfall was an internal fight because his headquarters at Calata House would say this, but the MEC would say otherwise while that boy who recently got out of prison, [Andile] Lungisa, I would contradict them. But looking at yesterday’s results, it seems they are united against us. Maybe they got some scolding from the national leadership, “Holomisa said.
There was a void ballot, there was no withdrawal and a vacancy.
READ HERE | Nqaba Bhanga, elected mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, again
The vacancy followed the death of ANC whip boss Bicks Ndoni on January 20 last year.
The veteran ANC captain of Ncediso acted as whip boss, but died on December 22, leaving the position vacant again.
Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance MEC Xolile Nqatha, who brought Bhanga to court after his first election to the position, congratulated the DA provincial leader on Friday.
“I wish to congratulate Mr. Nqaba Bhanga on his election and wish him all the best in his legitimate election as political director of the institution. I am of the firm opinion that good governance cannot be guaranteed on [a] seizure of power, but only through a democratic due process that can help lay the foundations for stability in the interests of the people of the metro. I look forward to working with the leadership of the metro in strengthening cooperative governance, “said MEC.
Nqatha also congratulated the council for having complied with the court order to call a council meeting to elect an executive mayor.
Madaka was nominated by Marlon Daniels of the Patriotic Alliance and ANC Councilor Wandisile Jikeka.
Confirming the nomination, Daniels told the council on Thursday that he chose Madaka because his party “has looked at the different options and realized that EFF Councilor Madaka represents a party that has the interests of the communities at heart. historically disadvantaged “.
“There are very few parties with those values and on that basis, we have made a decision in our national executive committee that we will sponsor the name of EFF Councilor Madaka to be in the running for NMB executive mayoral,” he said. Daniels.
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Bhanga was nominated by COPE’s sole councilman, Siyasanga Sijadu, and supported by ACDP representative Lance Grootboom.
The elections came after Nelson Mandela Bay metro president Buyelwa Mafaya was ordered to convene a council meeting within seven days to elect the new executive mayor.
This was after the court declared that the Bhanga mayoral election on December 4 was incompatible with the Constitution and therefore invalid.
The court also declared that the election of the incumbent president that day was incompatible with the Constitution and also invalid.
It was Daniels who acted as the speaker that day after Mafaya was forcibly removed by unknown men from the presidency and expelled from the council chambers.
Bhanga was elected mayor during that council meeting.
A few days later, Nqatha approached the court, challenging the legality of the elections, but reached an out-of-court settlement for the new elections that were held on Thursday.
Bhanga’s party welcomed his re-election.
DA Eastern Cape President Andrew Whitfield said: “Councilor Bhanga’s confirmation was never in doubt as the DA and its coalition partners have a strong coalition based on the common goal of moving Nelson Mandela Bay forward again. We are committed to serving residents who have suffered for two years under indifferent ANC rule. “
Lungisa could not be reached for comment.
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