Deal struck to salvage Nelson Mandela Bay coalition

The Herald reported that talks between national coalition leaders were held in Cape Town on Monday evening to end an impasse between Mayor Athol Trollip and his deputy, Mongameli Bobani, that has gripped the metro and raised concerns about the stability of the coalition government.

The coalition leaders, who included the DA, UDM, Freedom Front Plus, ACDP and Cope, resolved to reverse the removal of Bobani from the mayoral committee and as the political head for public health.

The coalition partners, according to the report, also agreed to investigate allegations Trollip and Bobani were making against each other. However, there appeared to be differences of view from the DA and UDM relating to the deputy mayor’s remove from the public health portfolio.

“A small committee of members from each party to the coalition has been formed to keep open communications and to discuss matters within the coalition, so that our relations grow stronger.

“This committee will begin by considering the issues raised in NMB [Nelson Mandela Bay] recently between the mayor and deputy mayor.

“To this end, the ultimatum put to the United Democratic Movement to remove the deputy mayor has been withdrawn between the parties, and instead, the small committee will resolve the matter,” a statement issued by the coalition partners stated.

But Trollip said the removal of Bobani from the public health portfolio still remained, whereas UDM leader Bantu Holomisa insisted that the mayor should get clarity on the deal from the DA’s national leadership.

“The status quo remains, councillor Bobani is no longer the public health MMC. His deputy mayor position remains until the conclusion of the investigation by the three independent coalition members,” Trollip was quoted as saying.

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