Maimane in NMB for Trollip

A CAMPAIGN to mobilise the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to rally behind their mayor Athol Trollip will receive a boost when DA national leader Mmusi Maimane arrives in Port Elizabeth today.

Maimane will work with provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga, provincial chairman Andrew Whitfield and Trollip to “highlight” the DA’s successes under the city’s mayor.

The rally happens just days before the NMB council sits to determine the future of Trollip as mayor.

The EFF has submitted its notice of motion to depose Trollip.

DA national director of communications Mabine Seabe said Maimane would be in KwaNobuhle at the Babs Madikane Stadium to mobilise the community against what the DA described as a motion “with no sense”.

He said the work done by the DA in the past two years was an indication that the Bay was in good hands.

He further said Maimane had made no plans to address the DA caucus.

“The EFF wants to give the municipality back to the corrupt ANC, which will ultimately harm the people of Nelson Mandela Bay,” said Seabe.

NMB’s mayorship is not the only title that Trollip is fighting to retain. His position in the party as federal chairman is also being contested.

Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga has formally declared his candidacy and has officially endorsed Maimane to keep the reins of the party for another term.

EFF NMB caucus leader Zincedile Vena said Maimane’s visit to NMB had nothing to do with the people of the metro and everything to do with Maimane campaigning for Trollip to keep both his mayoral seat and his federal chairmanship.

Vena said residents had lost confidence in Trollip. “We know this has nothing to do with the people. It’s a campaign to keep Trollip as federal chairperson,” said Vena.