The United Democratic Movement (UDM) says that Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Athol Trollip, is not the best person for the job.
UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa released a scathing statement on Sunday, 8 April 2018 saying that Trollip lied to former deputy mayor of NMB, Mongameli Bobani about the contents of a drafted report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
“Trollip lied to council about his coalition deputy, the United Democratic Movement’s Mongameli Bobani. Trollip misrepresented secret draft PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report, warned against by its authors for not complying with generally accepted auditing standards, and adjusted for surmised references to criminality to justify Bobani’s removal,” he said.
Holomisa also accused Trollip of sending the draft PwC report to the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Mmusi Maimane without consulting his coalition partners.
Saying, “It is a fact that Trollip refused all suggestion of reconciliation for the benefit of service delivery. The champion of baasskap defied and undermined the coalition leaders. He very publicly insulted me for simply asking proof of the wild accusations against Bobani and then him and his leader disparaged the UDM and me personally.”
Holomisa has urged all councillors from various political parties in the NMB council to “vote with their conscience” during today’s, 10 April 2018, vote of no confidence against Trollip.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) brought the motion after the DA refused to support its motion of land expropriation without compensation in the National Assembly. EFF leader, Julius Malema had previously said that the party would “punish” the DA for its rejection of the motion.
NMB Council speaker, Jonathan Lawack postponed the vote on 29 March 2018 following chaos and disruptions.
The Patriotic Alliance and the African Independent Congress and other coalition partners have vowed to support Trollip, while the African National Congress (ANC) and the UDM are expected to support the EFF.