Bobani latest: Leaked SMS shows how Mafaya lied about ‘threats’

Nelson Mandela Bay’s (NMB) opposition coalition, made up of DA, Cope and ACDP members, have blown holes in Buyelwa Mafaya’s claims that a threat on councillors was the reason why she postponed the motion of no confidence against Mongameli Bobani.

Bobani ousting: Why it didn’t happen

Bobani has, somehow, survived yet another motion of no confidence vote. The mayor’s prediction has come to fruition.

We are approaching the close of business, on Thursday, and Bobani has retained his position as the most powerful political figure in the Eastern Cape metro.

It was initially announced, by NMB council speaker, Mafaya, that the decision to postpone the motion was in the interest of safety.

On the 11th-hour, the council speaker indicated that she had been advised — by the police — that there was an imminent threat on councillors who intended on voting against Bobani.

This is the text message that she apparently sent out to council members at 06:44, only a few hours before the session.

In a turn of events, however, Eastern Cape’s Top Cop, Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga, came out and denied that the council speaker’s decision to postpone proceedings was influenced by the police.

instead, Ntshinga confirmed that the police were in a state of readiness to maintain law and order at the council chambers.

“NMB is a lawless gangster state” – Opposition coalition

In a statement, the opposition coalition partners accused Mafaya of unlawfully postponing a special council meeting and acting out of “self-interest and the self-preservation of herself and NMB Executive Mayor Mongameli Bobani.”

“The DA, ACDP and COPE councillors went to the Council Chambers and experienced no threat to their safety despite a pathetic protest picket outside the council chamber by members of the United Front (UF)/ Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party (SRWP).

“What made this picket completely outrageous and unacceptable are the blatant threats of violence made yesterday by the UF/SRWP and the fact that they barred the council chamber entrance by stringing their party banner across the entrance. This is tantamount to a political coup d’etat by the smallest party in the council. What is more is their relationship with Mayor Bobani and their protection of him is based on a blood pact of corruption and criminality that links their regional leader, Mr Mvuleni Mapu, and Mayor Bobani,” the coalition partners scathingly noted.

The group has vowed to take matters further and not allow the City to be left in an ungoverned state.

“We, therefore, are going to seek a directory interdict or an order of mandamus to order the Speaker to reconvene an urgent meeting and to provide the necessary security for this to proceed.

“We will also call on the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the Eastern Cape MEC of CoGTA to dissolve the council and go to fresh elections to ensure that the City can once more be governed by a responsible and accountable administration,” they said.