Nelson Mandela Bay has a new mayor‚ with loud cheering greeting the Democratic Alliance’s Athol Trollip as he was Officially elected to the hard-won position.
The African National Congress caucus‚ now in opposition‚ raised multiple objections‚ booed and staged a walkout in a style resembling the Economic Freedom Fighters in national parliament.
Central to the party’s representation at the Feathermarket Hall in Port Elizabeth was Andile Lungisa‚ formerly of the ANC youth league and National Youth Development Agency‚ where he was implicated in a scandal for allegedly swindling the Department of Arts and Culture of R2.5-million. They allegedly lied to the department and said they would bring American artist R Kelly to perform at the Nelson Mandela Sports Day concert.
The DA’s Jonathan Lawack was the first nomination‚ and he was elected as Speaker of council.
He told the new councillors‚ “You need to focus energy in putting the interest and welfare of our people first” and welcomed party leaders Mmusi Maimane and Patricia de Lille as well as the EFF’s Dali Mpofu to the proceedings.
A moment of silence was held for the ANC’s Nceba Dywili‚ the ward 4 Walmer councillor candidate who was shot dead during the election campaign.
Source: sowetanlive
