Car assigned to DA leader in fatal crash
Bhanga’s security guard in accident claiming two lives
DA EASTERN Cape leader Nqaba Bhanga is at the centre of a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of two people and left a security guard fighting for his life at a Port Elizabeth hospital.
The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Algoa Park, involved a Nelson Mandela Bay Metro vehicle that was assigned to Bhanga.
At the time of the accident, the municipal vehicle assigned to the human settlements portfolio committee chairman had been driven by the security guard.
Insiders claimed that the security guard had been asked by the DA heavyweight to go and get his girlfriend from one of the Nelson Mandela University campuses.
Speaking with the Daily Dispatch last night, Bhanga said he had written to the municipality explaining the events leading up to the fatal accident.
He said he had yet to speak to the families of the two women who were killed.
“I am not sure if I should be speaking about this now because there is an investigation going on and I haven’t even spoken to the police or the families of the victims.
“I had sent my security guy to go fetch something from somewhere. After some time, I panicked about where he could be. I called but the phone was picked up by a paramedic,” he said.
When contacted for comment, municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki referred questions to mayor Athol Trollip’s chief of staff Kristoff Adelbert who referred questions to council chief whip Werner Senekal.
Senekal said because the issue of the car was municipal property, he could not comment because the matter was administrative.
City manager Johann Mettler said: “It [the accident] was reported to the administration and the police. Councillor Bhanga was not in the vehicle. I am awaiting details on the deceased.”
While the ANC and EFF reacted with shock to the news last night, the UDM said it was aware of the accident. The parties sent their condolences to the families of the deceased.
UDM councillor Mongameli Bobani said the matter was grounds for dismissal.
“Nqaba Bhanga should immediately be fired and the matter should be investigated with all those involved in this heinous crime brought to book.
“Trollip should also resign because he knew about this and concealed it because it involved a provincial leader of the DA. He concealed it because he did not want to be embarrassed,” Bobani said.
Nelson Mandela Bay ANC regional spokesman Gift Ngqondi said: “This should be investigated so that we will know what transpired and why that car was being used at that time. Were there people in the car who were supposed to be in the car? That report should be brought to council because that is a municipal vehicle.”