DA expels dissenting councillor

THE DA has terminated the membership of its Nelson Mandela Bay councillor Victor Manyati. This came after he abstained from a vote that resulted in the removal of council Speaker Jonathan Lawack.

Municipal manager Johan Mettler is now presiding over the council and has since sought legal advice on the extent of his authority.

Mettler said his authority only extended to presiding over the election of a new Speaker.

In a letter read by Mettler, DA federal executive chairperson James Selfe indicated that the party terminated Manyati’s membership after he publicly stated he would be leaving the DA.

In the letter, Selfe asked Mettler to declare a vacancy.

Yesterday Manyati said he would not vote with the DA on any other motion, including a motion brought to have executive mayor Athol Trollip removed.

“I’ve taken a sober decision not to vote with the DA today. I have personal reasons. I need change in this metro, in fact I need change not only in the metro but in the entire country.”

Manyati said he would be leaving the DA and claimed that black councillors were unhappy within the party. The motion against the Speaker was brought by the United Democratic Movement’s Mongameli Bobani.

Votes to oust Lawack were 59 against and 60 for the motion. – African News Agency (ANA)