Nqwazi appointed acting city manager
Nelson Mandela Bay’s head of sports, recreation, arts and culture Noxolo Nqwazi has been appointed acting city manager.
This comes after Nolwandle Gqiba stepped down from the position. She will head back to her job as executive director of human settlements.
Gqiba was appointed acting city boss after municipal manager Johann Mettler was suspended by the council in September.
Gqiba said on Tuesday that she had decided to step down due to family commitments.
Mayor Mongameli Bobani said Nqwazi would take over in the interim until the decision is endorsed by the council.
The DA has, meanwhile, challenged Nqwazi’s appointment, saying only the council could appoint a municipal manager.
Eastern Cape DA leader and councillor in the metro Nqaba Bhanga labelled Nqwazi’s appointment as illegal.
“Section 54 A (1) of the Municipal Systems Act is very clear that only council can appoint a municipal manager.
“The municipality’s comments that Ms Nolwandle Gqiba resigned as acting city manager due to family responsibilities are blatantly untrue,” Bhanga said.
Bhanga claimed “Bobani and his ANC cronies” tried to force Gqiba to bring back all suspended municipal officials.
He alleged they put pressure on her to produce a list of contracts in all departments and to get rid of all acting executive directors including acting CFO Jackson Ngcelwane. Gqiba denied the claims. “I have sat down with my family who from the beginning did not agree with me acting in this position and we feel that the pressure is not worth it.
“There was no undue pressure put on me or threats against me, I just felt I should step down,” Gqiba said.
Bobani would not comment on the DA’s statement and said the municipality had already issued a statement on Gqiba’s resignation.–