Fihla sacks mayoral committee member over ‘official’ China visit
SAFETY and security political head councillor Thembinkosi Mafana has been fired from Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Ben Fihla’s executive for his controversial trip to China.
This follows mounting pressure from opposition parties and the public for Fihla and city manager Mpilo Mbambisa to act against Mafana for allegedly masquerading as the mayor while on a trip to Fuzhou in May 2013.
In a surprise turn of events yesterday, Mafana was served with a letter from Fihla relieving him of his duties as a member of the mayoral committee with immediate effect.
He will continue to serve as an ordinary councillor.
“I have received your response on the issue of the international trip to China that was occupying the media at all levels,” Fihla says in the letter.
“We have also received a parliamentary question on the matter.
“Having read the letter and subsequently instituted an internal investigation, I therefore wish to advise you [that] as the executive mayor I am relieving you of your duties as a member of the mayoral committee with immediate effect.”
In an interview yesterday, a defiant Mafana said he believed Fihla had abused his power and failed to follow the proper processes when he handed him the letter.
He said deputy mayor Chippa Ngcolomba should have been the one fired as his private soccer team, Morning Stars, was being sponsored by the Chinese.
“I have not done anything wrong. I was just building relationships between the two cities and, as a result, the deputy mayor has personally benefited from the trip.” Ngcolomba did not respond to repeated attempts yesterday to obtain comment from him.
Mafana believes he is a victim of factionalism as he was a close ally of former ANC regional secretary Zandisile Qupe, who was fired by President Jacob Zuma in January. Ngcolomba is said to be Qupe’s political nemesis.
“The decision was not processed through the structures of the ANC,” Mafana said.
“As long as the ANC has not made the decision, I think the executive mayor is abusing his powers because we are both deployees here.
“If this was a decision of the ANC, I would respect it.”
ANC Eastern Cape secretary Oscar Mabuyane said: “Procedurally, the mayor should have consulted with us. If the mayor felt there was a need to act, we can’t prevent him from exercising his duties.
“We will need a comprehensive re- port on the whole matter from him, and we have to make a balanced decision based on both reports.
“The mayor must give his motivation for the action.”
Mabuyane said his office had received a letter from Mafana – sent of his own accord – explaining the purpose of his trip.
News of the China trip was largely discussed on social networks in recent weeks as fears mounted that Mafana had signed a binding agreement with the Chinese.
Fihla and Mbambisa had both said the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
While in China in 2013, Mafana, ANC Youth League regional chairman and municipal official Xolani Mgxotheni and Siphiwo Tshaka were photographed in what appeared to be an official signing ceremony between the Bay and the city of Fuzhou.
Both the countries’ flags were visible on the table and a banner with the words “Signing ceremony for the letter of intent on the establishment of a friendly relationship between Nelson Mandela Bay and Fuzhou” hung in the background.
In Mafana’s explanation to Fihla, dated March 5, he said he had not personally benefited from the trip.
He wrote that he was motivated by “what I considered to be an opportunity for the two municipalities to be introduced to each other and with a view to pursuing mutually beneficial relations between the two”.
Mgxotheni said yesterday he could not understand how Fihla thought he had the power to relieve Mafana of his duties when he, too, was a deployee of the ANC.
“This matter is within the jurisdiction of the province.
“He has the same tendencies of [former mayor Zanoxolo] Wayile who tried to fire without following procedure. As a South African, I have a right to my private activities,” Mgxotheni said.
He said he had not received any notice of disciplinary action against him.
‘ The decision was not processed through the structures of the ANC