In a statement released yesterday Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Athol Trollip comes out against the media in defence of the seemingly rocky relationship between the DA’s coalition government and the UDM’s Deputy Mayor, Mongameli Bobani, who recently pulled rank during an altercation with officials.
Trollip says; “It is concerning that the recording of a confidential Human Resources meeting was leaked to the media, in which UDM councillor and Deputy Executive Mayor, Mongameli Bobani, is heard screaming at officials.”
Trollip then went on to say; “Unfortunately, the resultant article in today’s Sunday Times reopens a matter that had already been dealt with at a meeting early last week.
“Matters of this nature cannot be managed through the media which is precisely why both the Deputy Executive Mayor and I met with Mmusi Maimane and Bantu Holomisa last Monday, 13 March 2017 to discuss the way forward on certain matters. The Deputy Executive Mayor apologised for his actions at the human resources meeting, certain agreements were reached and commitments made, bringing the matter to a close.
“This government in Nelson Mandela Bay stands strong, as we continue to move this Municipality forward. Every day we implement real change that improves service delivery, stops corruption and grows the economy to create jobs. Bit by bit, we are transforming this City.
“None of this would be possible without the coalition agreement signed between the DA, UDM, COPE and the ACDP. Our Parties’ National Leaders are the custodians of this important document and as such offer an important mechanism for mediation that ensures progress.
“Furthermore, the agreement prescribes ethics, management, monitoring and evaluation considerations, which hold this multi-party political leadership to account. I feel confident knowing that this agreement mandates us as leaders to act or report accordingly should anyone contravene the agreement or bring the institution into disrepute.
“It is likely that there will be future occasions where the National Leadership will again be required to participate in meetings. This is an important part of coalition governance and often provides important perspective on the prioritisation of key issues over irrelevant ones.
“In fact, it is the strength of our national coalition agreement and it’s mediation system that has allowed us to move through difficult conversations without becoming stuck.
“So while we continue to engage on these important issues, our work in every community continues. We are committed to delivering on our promise of change.”
Editor: A classic case of obfuscation here, Mr Mayor – by making an entity charged with reporting on everything to do with government responsible for making your life unnecessarily difficult you are falling into the trap of your predecessors. Man up and apologise or, better yet, get Bobani to apologise along with providing evidence that he has taken that Chill Pill!
As I said in the run up to elections when Bobani was flouting municipal regulations; “Where there is smoke and wrongdoing….”:
Alan Straton
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