Party suspends Makana councillor

EASTERN Cape ANC bosses have suspended Makana councillor Paul Notyawa for allegedly defying his political principals and ignoring instructions from the party.

ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane confirmed yesterday that the provincial working committee (PWC) had suspended Notyawa but he would not give further details.

“We don’t discuss internal disciplinary issues with the media,” Mabuyane said.

“I can assure you that the PWC took a decision to suspend him purely on defiance issues.”

Notyawa is involved in a legal battle with Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Fikile Xasa and the municipality over his demands to be appointed municipal manager.

He was appointed in March as the municipal manager but Xasa did not agree with that decision and suggested the post be readvertised.

Notyawa alleged in court papers that the ANC forced him to write a letter declining the appointment.

Mabuyane said that Notyawa was meant to appear before the provincial disciplinary committee next month.

Notyawa did not respond to calls and messages yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Makana council is expected to elect a new mayor today following the resignation of Nomhle Gaga.

Gaga held the position for only 11 days and quit after her ap- pointment was challenged by the DA in court. The DA said when appointing Gaga, thenspeaker Rachel Madinda-Isaac ignored council rules which dictated that councillors must vote via secret ballot if there were two candidates put forward.

Makana spokeswoman Yoliswa Ramokolo said the council would now start afresh the process of electing a mayor.

The Grahamstown High Court yesterday granted the DA an order for the municipality to set aside the decision to appoint Gaga as it was unlawful.