Bobani’s government is a ‘crime syndicate’ linked to 16 killings – Maimane

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane penned a column in which he describes the upcoming vote of no confidence against Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Mongameli Bobani the party has tabled as an opportunity to take back the metro from “criminals who have captured it”.

In the form of a letter to church leaders in the metro, Maimane wrote in News24 that a R21m drain-cleaning contract “was awarded irregularly under Mayor Mongameli Bobani”.

“To give you an idea of just how dangerous this crime syndicate masquerading as a government is, consider that the R21m drain-cleaning contract that was awarded irregularly under Mayor Mongameli Bobani has already been linked to at least 16 assassinations,” he said.

“But that R21m is small fry compared to the R500m he now wants to dispense to SMMEs over the next three years without following correct procedures. This is all just a bid to remain protected and in power,” he added.

READ MORE: Nelson Mandela Bay speaker cancels Bobani no confidence motion amid safety concerns

Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip on Wednesday put the amount of killings linked to the project at “as many as 20 people”.

“Alleged corruption pertaining to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s R21 million drain cleaning project debacle also caused the deaths of as many as 20 people.

“Mayor Bobani also made the City administratively ungovernable as it has seen at least eight acting City Managers during his tenure. Added to this many acting executive directors were also appointed unlawfully and irregularly and all suspended officials, regardless of guilt, were brought back.

“The DA will not rest until sanity prevails and councillor Bobani is removed as NMB Mayor,” he added.

Bobani will, however, live to fight another day, after a vote of no confidence in him planned for earlier on Thursday was cancelled by council speaker Buyelwa Mafaya due to “security concerns”, only hours after it was due to take place.

Bobani’s removal is sought by both the DA and the ANC – who were part of a coalition which led to his election as mayor but have since turned against him – but it is unclear whether the two parties, who are not known for cooperating, will vote together. If they did, they would be able to remove him without the assistance of any of either party’s coalition partners.

(Compiled by Daniel Friedman.) 

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