The exchange of mayors in some of South Africa’s largest cities seems likely to continue, with the ANC and EFF bringing a motion of no confidence against Retief Odendaal, the DA mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.
Odendaal has been in office since September last year, after a multiparty coalition ousted the incumbent grouping led by the ANC.
Both the ANC and DA hold 48 seats. The stance of smaller parties is therefore crucial.
The EFF has submitted the motion. It refers to matters raised by the Auditor-General around the conduct of the deputy mayor, Khusta Jack.
‘He deliberately turned a blind eye to the Auditor-General’s report until the matter was brought to the attention of council through other reporting means’, the motion read, according to News24.
The motion is supported by the Patriotic Alliance – instrumental in ousting the DA-led coalition in Johannesburg – and also by the Northern Alliance, which has three seats and currently holds the Speaker’s position.
The DA responded that the Northern Alliance had been threatening to exit the coalition for better relations with the ANC and EFF.
The motion will be brought to Council on 26 May.
[Photo: Lulama Zenzile/Netwerk24]