Knives out as split looms in Bay coalition

Five parties move to oust UF citing irreconcilable differences

Five members of the coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay have asked their respective party bosses for the go-ahead to sever ties with the United Front (UF), whose representatives they accuse of being “obstructive” and pushing their own agenda.

They have also taken issue with the UF pushing for housing delivery boss Mvuleni Mapu, who is facing fraud and corruption charges, to become human settlements executive director.

UF members have responded by accusing mayor Nqaba Bhanga of peddling lies to oust them.

Last week, they also laid criminal complaints of fraud against two senior metro officials.

On Friday, the DA, AIC, ACDP, COPE and UDM contacted their respective party leaders via a letter written by Bhanga requesting to be split from the UF.

Bhanga asked that the UF be removed because the party was obstructive and had made threats in the past.

“The relationship with the UF has unfortunately become untenable and not only obstructive but possibly destructive to the progress of the coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay,” he wrote.

“It is clear that the relationship of trust between the coalition and the UF has irretrievably broken down and remaining in a coalition with them will hamper the progress of our coalition government.”

He also requested that UF councillor Mkhuseli Mtsila be removed from the mayoral committee, where he holds the portfolio of human settlements political head.

The letter was signed by Bhanga, AIC councillor Thsonono Buyeye, ACDP councillor Lance Grootboom, COPE councillor Siyasanga Sijadu and UDM councillor Luxolo Namette.

If the UF is removed, the parties would still have a majority with 62 of the 120 seats in council.

But UF regional chair Xolisile Peter hit back at Bhanga, accusing him of peddling lies.

“He is trying to play the big boss.

“They want to sacrifice us to make way for a mayoral committee reshuffle,” he said.

“We record every meeting and at the right time we will share them with the media.”

Council chief whip and DA councillor Morne Steyn said there were irreconcilable differences between his party and the UF.

“There is a difference in principles and policies.

“They have tried to hold us to ransom to appoint a certain person, which we have refused to do.

“We have taken a stance and will await feedback from our leadership on the way forward.”

Bhanga wrote that the party had been obstructive since the start of the coalition.

“It is alleged they had not supported my election as mayor, a fact which cannot be proven due to the secret ballot used; however, the probabilities bear out this allegation.”

He said the last straw was when the coalition declined to support the UF’s candidate for the human settlements executive director position.

The party had pushed for Mapu, a regional executive member of the UF, to take up the post.

Instead, Tabiso Mfeya was appointed to the position at Friday’s council meeting.

Bhanga said the UF had conducted themselves in a threatening manner when pushing for Mapu.

“The preferred candidate of the UF is [also] not suitably qualified for the position, has been arrested and is being investigated on criminal charges relating to his actions as an official and has been on extended sick leave since November.”

Mapu was arrested by the Hawks on fraud and corruption charges in August.

He allegedly accepted a R900,000 bribe from businesswoman Bulelwa Ntanga-Mkwakwi to award her business, Jeke and Qabi Trading, a R12.8m contract for an RDP construction project.

He was released on bail and returned to work in October.

“The impasse caused came to a head with the representative of the UF unsatisfied with their candidate not being supported and accusing myself of a

‘It is clear that the relationship of trust between the coalition and the UF has irretrievably broken down and remaining in a coalition with them will hamper the progress of our coalition government’

corrupt relationship with the acting city manager,” Bhanga wrote.

He said the UF had then laid criminal complaints against two officials.

Mtsila opened a fraud case against acting city manager Mandla George and economic development executive director Anele Qaba at the Humewood police station on April 29.

It relates to the awarding of a six-month emergency contract on April 1 to Ezamantlane Trading Enterprise and Bahlaphing Consulting to supply and clean chemical toilets.

“I have already requested an investigation into this,” Bhanga wrote.

Bhanga wrote in a letter — seen by The Herald — that it was alleged the appointment of the companies was tantamount to fraud and corruption.

He said the party had also questioned George’s validity as acting city manager.

“The UF proceeded to seek legal advice and direct an attorney’s letter to the council in relation to the validity of the appointment of the acting city manager.”

He said this had not been discussed by the coalition and contravened the agreement.

Peter, however, denied that the party did not support Bhanga in his election, saying that another coalition partner had sided with an EFF candidate.

“In his mind he thinks it was us, but it was not.”

Peter said the party had supported Mapu for the position as he was the best candidate.

“He is innocent until proven otherwise. He will be victorious in his case.”

Peter said the coalition had been aware of their plans to report a criminal case with the police.

“He is lying in his letter. We told [them] we were going to open the case.

“He knew about it. They all knew about it.”