Trollip gains another vote as AIC switches sides

A decision by the African Independent Congress (AIC) to not abstain from voting in tomorrow’s vote of no confidence in Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Trollip but to vote against the ANC, has swung the outcome slightly in favour of Trollip.

AIC president Mandla Galo confirmed that the party has instructed its sole councillor in the metro to vote with the DA on the motion against Trollip.

The shift in vote now takes the likely outcome in the 120-seat council to 61-59 in favour of keeping Trollip.

Prior to the AIC’s decision, the vote breakdown was as follows: the EFF had six votes, with the ANC’s 50, UDM’s two and one each from the AIC and the United Front to total 60. The DA had 57 votes and when added to the single vote each from Cope, ACDP and the PA, would bring the total to 60, which is equal to that of their opponents.

This comes after the Patriotic Alliance (PA) said it would vote in Trollip’s favour on condition its sole councillor, Marlon Daniels, was given the position of deputy mayor.

Daniels earlier today revealed he had been approached by the EFF and other opposition councillors who offered him the position of mayor if he sided with them, but he refused.