The Democratic Alliance fully supports the celebration of 20 Years of Democracy and we acknowledge that life is definitely better in South Africa now than it was before 1994. The DA believes that delivering quality services to all our communities is the best way to celebrate 20 Years of Democracy. The cash strapped Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, however, is planning to fund celebrations to the tune of R15 million while so many of our poor communities continue to suffer from a lack of basic … [Read more...] about Utilitarianism NMB Metro Style
leon de villiers
On Leon de Villiers retirement from NMBM Council
It is with regret, but coupled with a great sense of pride and gratitude that the Democratic Alliance announces the retirement from the Nelson Mandela Bay Council of respected DA Caucus Leader, Leon J.de Villiers, effective 28 February 2014. Councillor de Villiers joined the Democratic Party in 1997. He was elected a DA Councillor in 2000 and has always been a fearless opponent of the ANC in Council. Under his leadership the DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has become a serious contender for … [Read more...] about On Leon de Villiers retirement from NMBM Council
Leon De Villiers resigns
In a short letter to party leader in the Eastern Cape, Athol Trollip, DA Mandela Metro party leader of the official opposition, Leon De Villiers resigned his position as Councillor today after 17 years of service. His resignation letter read: 4 February 2014 Attention: Athol Trollip Subject: Resignation Dear Athol, My last working day will be 28 February 2014. Please note that I am not resigning from the DA and that I will remain an active and loyal member of the party. I … [Read more...] about Leon De Villiers resigns
Position on NMBMM CFO Vindicated
The DA's principled stance on vigorously opposing the appointment of Mr Nair as the CFO of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has been vindicated by the MEC's decision not to support the ANC councillors. The MEC has rejected the Council's appointment. This latest example of the cadre deployment policy of President Jacob Zuma's ANC is costing this Metro its reputation as a winning city that promotes clean government that will attract investors and create jobs. Corruption and maladministration … [Read more...] about Position on NMBMM CFO Vindicated
Mayor Fihla silent after week of violent unrest
It has been a week since violence over housing delivery erupted in Uitenhage but we have heard no word from our Mayor. The Executive Mayor, Benson Fihla, is the political leader of our Metro and should be at the forefront of this community unrest and come up with a plan of action to deal with the community's concerns. The DA is concerned that Mayor Fihla has been silent and has presented no plan of action to deal with the unrest that has led to the intimidation and injury of councillors, … [Read more...] about Mayor Fihla silent after week of violent unrest
DA lays criminal charges on Pikoli Report
The DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has laid criminal charges with the South African Police Service with respect to the Pikoli Forensic Report which has not been made public yet. The DA will not condone the mismanagement of funds and corruption; these issues must be dealt with. The failure of the Mayor to make the report public as well as the City Manager's failure to act decisively on the matter is indicative of the prevailing culture of corruption and mismanagement that runs through the Nelson … [Read more...] about DA lays criminal charges on Pikoli Report
State of the Metro Public Meetings
The DA in Nelson Mandela Bay will be embarking on a series of public meetings to engage all stakeholders who are invested in the future of Nelson Mandela Bay. We invite residents, businesses and civil society organizations who have a shared commitment to Nelson Mandela Bay’s future as a winning Metro to join us in discussing THE STATE OF THE METRO. The meetings will serve as a community platform to discuss THE STATE OF THE METRO and provide feedback to communities across Nelson Mandela … [Read more...] about State of the Metro Public Meetings
On the DA Attendance at Council Meetings
The newspapers reported extensively, but not accurately on the issue of the library and traffic workers' go slow strike in support of the proposed four notch increases promised to them by the mayor and his task team, as well as the DA's subsequent attendance at Council related meetings. The facts are as follows: During a Council meeting on the 24th July the Council chamber was invaded by the council workers from Uitenhage and Despatch, the councillors were held hostage and received no … [Read more...] about On the DA Attendance at Council Meetings
DA will not entertain ANC bully tactics
The DA in Nelson Mandela Bay will not be bullied into taking illegal decisions by the ANC or its affiliates. Today, municipal staff attempted to hold Council hostage to their demands at a Special Council meeting that was to be convened today to deal with, among other items, the election of ward committees and the salary increases for library and traffic staff. These critical items require robust debate in Council, however due to the threat of yet another invasion of Council by union … [Read more...] about DA will not entertain ANC bully tactics
DA lays criminal charges against Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor and Deputy Mayor
The Democratic Alliance in Nelson Mandela Bay laid criminal charges against the Executive Mayor, Cllr Benson Fihla, and his Deputy, Cllr Chippa Ngcolomba on Thursday morning, for political interference in the administration of the municipality. The unstable state of the Metro is highlighted by the fact that we have had six municipal managers and acting municipal mangers over the past four years. Barely two months into the job, the resignation last Wednesday of City Manager, Dr Lindiwe … [Read more...] about DA lays criminal charges against Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor and Deputy Mayor
DA Calls for Criminal Charges to be laid against Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor
The Democratic Alliance in Nelson Mandela Bay has today written to the MEC of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, asking him to intervene by, among others, laying criminal charges against the Executive Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for political interference in the municipality's administration. In the letter the DA has expressed our disappointment at the resignation of the City Manager and called upon the MEC to intervene and take appropriate action to ensure that the … [Read more...] about DA Calls for Criminal Charges to be laid against Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor
Illegal Council Decisions Condemned
At a meeting of the Nelson Mandela Bay Council on Wednesday 24 July 2013, at least four illegal decisions contrary to the Systems Act 32 of 2000 were taken were taken by the ANC, ACDP, COPE and UDM Councillors present at the meeting. The Democratic Alliance while in support of the concerns raised by municipal workers abstained from voting as we will not be bullied by the ANC or striking workers who held Councillors against their will and forced decisions to be taken under duress. The four … [Read more...] about Illegal Council Decisions Condemned
DA Calls for Release of Pikoli Report
The Democratic Alliance in Nelson Mandela Bay has submitted an application through the Promotion of Access to Information Act for the release of the Pikoli Forensic Investigative Report into the IPTS Funding. Nelson Mandela Bay's Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS) has been a monumental failure and the public deserves to know how their money was spent. The DA believes it is in the public interest to know the contents of the Pikoli Report which deals with the alleged inflated costs … [Read more...] about DA Calls for Release of Pikoli Report
DA disapproves of irregular decisions taken by Nelson Mandela Bay’s Executive Mayor
On Thursday afternoon councillors received an SMS notification that the Speaker, on request of the Executive Mayor, had called a Special Council Meeting for Friday 19th July at 10:00. Councillors only received the 103 page agenda at the meeting and were expected to make important decisions that affect the residents of our Metro. This late notice was received in the same week that the Executive Mayor called an illegal meeting for Thursday, which the Democratic Alliance refused to … [Read more...] about DA disapproves of irregular decisions taken by Nelson Mandela Bay’s Executive Mayor
Councilors to boycott illegal council meeting
The Democratic Alliance received notification from the Executive Mayor, Cllr Benson Fihla, calling for a special meeting of the Nelson Mandela Bay Council to be held on Mandela Day, Thursday 18 July. The Democratic Alliance will not be attending this Special Council Meeting as it has been called in contravention of the Council Rules of Order. The authority to call a meeting of Council is vested in the Office of the Speaker of Council, not the Executive Mayor and the meeting is therefore … [Read more...] about Councilors to boycott illegal council meeting
