NMB mayor says move to get rid of him will fail

People will have to wait until 2021 if they want him out, Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Mongameli Bobani told a hall full of mourners in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Speaking at the civic funeral of ANC ward 55 councillor Mzuvukile Boti at the NU29 Motherwell Community Hall, Bobani said he would slaughter cows in ward 55, meaning the UDM would campaign hard in the by-election that would be held to replace Boti.

A day before he faces a noconfidence motion against him, supported by the majority of parties in the council, Bobani declared he would survive it.

“Tomorrow will come and [DA councillor Masixole] Zinto you’ll have to wait until 2021. Others will be shocked by the outcome of the meeting.

“Mbanjwa [referring to ANC councillor Andile Lungisa], even next week you and I will be holding hands and moving forward, despite what people might think,” Bobani said to much laughter.

On Thursday, at a council meeting set for 8.30am, councillors will debate a no-confidence motion against Bobani.

At the funeral service Lungisa, speaking on behalf of the ANC, called Boti a loyal member of the party who had started off as a volunteer.

“He was committed, honest. So, we’ll go to Mpondoland on Friday and Saturday,” he said.

EFF councillor Lukhanyo Mrara said he had initially suggested the attempt to remove the mayor be postponed until after Boti’s funeral.

“But then again Boti knew he was part of the revolution so the meeting continues,” Mrara said.

As he said this, Bobani, who was sitting on stage among the priests and bishops, lowered his head as the hall broke out in laughter.

Boti died in hospital after a short illness and will be buried on Saturday in Mbizana.