Death threats, delays in NMB Council: What’s happening with Mayor Bobani?

Another day, another chaotic meeting in the NMB Council, and another attempt to remove Mayor Bobani from office. Monday has been true to form in Port Elizabeth, as the municipality argues vehemently about the future of the city’s leader.

Mongameli Bobani of the UDM assumed the role vacated by Athol Trollip in 2018, but during his year in charge, things have hit the skids in Nelson Mandela Bay. The mayor is accused of facilitating corruption, and his efforts to organise service delivery have been roundly slammed.

Is Mongameli Bobani still the mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay?

Monday was seen as a chance for his detractors to force him out of office with a no-confidence vote. But things have not been so simple in the Eastern Cape. The session has been blighted by delays, walk-outs and the type political trickery that stops things from getting done.

Speaker Buyelwa Mafaya has had the day from hell. Several times, the house attempted to get on with proceedings. But the session has been halted by the ANC, AIC and EFF pulling out of the items on the NMB Council’s agenda. The Red Berets were the first to lead a walk-out:

The Eff leaves the council chambers with some councillors from EFF shouting that the ANC must take the council under administration. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/J2yCJrwuGN

— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) November 4, 2019

Updates and latest news from NMB Council

However, another internal was brewing in the early hours of Monday. Deputy Mayor Thsonono Buyeye claims to have received death threats overnight, after it was suspected he would vota against Mayor Bobani once the motion of no confidence was eventually tabled.

Murmurs among councillors in the chamber suggest that deputy mayor Thsonono Buyeye received death threats while during the adjournment. Councillors have already made their way inside chambers while Buyeye is no where to be seen #NMBCouncil

— Nomazima Nkosi (@Zima_B_Nkosi) November 4, 2019

Bobani’s enemies watching on

Athol Trollip has also resurfaced in a political capacity, attending Monday’s hectic NMB Council gathering. He was left frustrated by the speaker’s handling of the day’s events, suggesting that the first five hours had been wasted. Make no mistake, Trollip has a hawkish eye on the man who ousted him from power in the metro.

As of 17:00 on Monday, Mongameli Bobani was still the mayor of the municipality. The chamber is waiting on a legal opinion before making a decision on the ballot: There’s no guarantee that the motion of no confidence will even go ahead before the end of the session, given that the ANC have confirmed they will pull out of the vote. Such an action would make it very difficult to oust the serving mayor.

• This is a developing story, and we bring you any updates as and when we receive them.