Gqeberha High Court Orders Coalition to Remain in Nelson Mandela Bay

The Gqeberha High Court today ordered that the mayoral committee and the multiparty coalition remain in government in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The coalition said in a joint statement: “We are delighted that the first leg of justice has been served.”

The coalition government said it believes that the interdict, which will later be heard in court, will also be beneficial so that the coalition government can continue to govern the Metro and offer service delivery to the residents.

“The section 12 announcement by the MEC was simply an ANC power play and a draconian attempt to try to be part of a government from which they were democratically voted out. The ANC is losing its support not only in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro but also nationwide,” said the statement. “They attempt to manipulate working and progressive coalition governments of which they are not part, by using their cadres in provincial governments to keep the back door open for themselves in municipalities and to gain access to their coffers.

“The ANC has already proved over the years that they have no idea how to deliver services and maintain infrastructure in Nelson Mandela Bay. They only want to govern in order to appoint their own cadres and enrich themselves.”

The multiparty coalition government is a grouping of political parties that came together to “fight the corruption of the ANC and its partners”, the coalition said.

“Political parties must provide services to residents and not be focused on looting
for their own gain. Since the coalition government took over, service delivery has improved overnight and there is a clear difference in the streets of the Metro, proving that the coalition government is committed to serving residents.

“The coalition government will not be defeated by the MEC’s attempt to change the system of government. We will not be deterred from our efforts to rebuild and restore this broken city after the ANC’s demolition of it,” they said.