Holomisa slammed as ‘incoherent’ when confronted on Bobani assault allegations
The UDM leader also said he would not rule out a coalition with the ANC following this year's elections.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa on Eusebius McKaiser’s show on 702 and Cape Talk, March 13, 2019. Picture: Twitter (@RAdio702)
United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa was interviewed on Eusebius McKaiser’s show on 702 and Cape Talk on Wednesday morning, where he was confronted on allegations that UDM’s Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) mayor Mongameli Bobani assaulted a woman.
Bobani was accused of assaulting Congress of the People (Cope) MP Deidre Carter at the back of a council meeting in April 2018.
READ MORE: DA to lay criminal charges against NMB mayor Mongameli Bobani
He was also accused of swearing at the mayoral chief of Kristoff Adelbert and taunting then mayor Atholl Trollip with hand signals.
Holomisa’s answer to a question on the incident was hard to understand, with several people struggling to make sense of it on social media.
He appeared to say that Bobani was not guilty of assault but then said that the mayor had written a letter apologising for the alleged assault.
Listening to Holomisa squirming on the 702 Eusibius Mckaiser show, trying to explain how after promising to rid NMB of the ANC they have now ended up in bed with the very ANC they accused of corruption. He continues to blindly support the corrupt Bobani. So much for credibility
— Athol Trollip (@AtholT) March 13, 2019
Trollip, meanwhile, took to Twitter to say that during the interview Holomisa had been “squirming” while ” trying to explain how after promising to rid NMB of the ANC they have now ended up in bed with the very ANC they accused of corruption”.
“He continues to blindly support the corrupt Bobani. So much for credibility,” Trollip continued.
At one point, Holomisa said he could not rule out the possibility of a coalition with the ANC following the 2019 elections.
I ask @BantuHolomisa if he can guarantee voters he will NOT speak to the ANC about possible coalitions? His response, "I cannot give that guarantee. I am sorry. If that means I lose votes, then so be it." @Radio702 #HolomisaWithEusebius
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) March 13, 2019
While some responded critically to the admission from Holomisa, others said that it did, at least, appear to be an honest answer.
McKaiser himself appears to share this view.
“I appreciate your candid answers, and you not tricking my listeners. They can now judge what they make of what you said,” he said, addressing Holomisa in a tweet.
Thanks @BantuHolomisa for coming into the studio to engage us on politics, no holds barred.
I appreciate your candid answers, and you not tricking my listeners. They can now judge what they make of what you said. The podcast follows soon.@Radio702#HolomisaWithEusebius pic.twitter.com/FIQJEa0eRi
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) March 13, 2019
@Eusebius @Radio702 #HolomisaWithEusebius When we talking about assault Holomisa must be clear so is he saying Bobani didnt assault anyone?
Please ask him wena Euby
— Queerfully Made🏳️🌈♥️ (@Rebel_sizwe) March 13, 2019
#HolomisaWithEusebius Gen Holomisa is incoherent about this Bobani and woman https://t.co/I08dK0Luak was something about "he" and "she" used interchangeably and something about "apologies". I regret having voted for him in one election.Pathetic!
— KABELO MG (@KabeloMG) March 13, 2019
#HolomisaWithEusebius @Eusebius so Im not Kliye Holomisa says Bobani didnt assault anyome but wrote a letter to apologise?!!! Why is he then apologising? Haysuka safa Yi UDM!!
— Queerfully Made🏳️🌈♥️ (@Rebel_sizwe) March 13, 2019
Bobani has also been accused of political interference in the awarding of contracts to companies surfaced in the media, something which led to the DA pressing charges against him.
Two months after Trollip was voted out in a motion of no confidence in Nelson Mandela Bay, the DA said it would try to return the favour by bringing its own motion against Bobani.
The party alleged that since Bobani took over in coalition with the ANC, African Independent Congress and the United Front, supported by the EFF, service delivery and financial management had taken a major nosedive.
(Additional reporting by Charles Cilliers)
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
