Eugene Johnson removed as Nelson Mandela Bay mayor at chaotic council meeting

With pandemonium breaking out at a council meeting on Wednesday, mayor Eugene Johnson was removed from the top post.

Her deputy, Buyelwa Mafaya, and council chief whip Wandisile Jikeka are due to face similar motions at the meeting.

The DA (48), Northern Alliance (3), FF+ (2), ACDP (2), DOP (2), AIC (1), AIM (1), PAC (1), UDM (1) and GOOD (1) voted in favour of the motion.

It was rejected by the ANC (48), EFF (8) and PA (2).

The motion was read out by ACDP councillor Lance Grootboom, but he was repeatedly interrupted and had to plead for a microphone to be heard at the Feather Market Centre.

“The mayor has failed to do oversight on service delivery. For three months, the Bay has not been cleaned,” Grootboom said.

“She has no plan other than playing golf and attending events.”

ANC councillors argued there were more pressing issues that should be dealt with first.

This included budget amendments for water projects and the inclusion in the 2022/2023 budget of a housing top structures grant and an informal settlement upgrading partnership grant.

ANC councillor Makhi Feni pleaded that the budget amendments be dealt with first.

“We are not saying the motion must not be discussed.

“We are saying let’s prioritise the items that speak to service delivery.”

Earlier, councillors bickered over the health of DA councillor Tsepo Ndwalaza who has attended several meetings virtually this year.

The ANC, EFF and PA demanded to see and hear Ndwalaza ahead of the vote, insisting that speaker Gary van Niekerk make a ruling on the issue.

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