Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe has accused fellow ANC members of plotting to undermine her leadership, amid an escalating scandal over a controversial R25-million transformer lease and probes into her bank deposits. This follows opposition accusations and a court ruling allowing critics to continue, with provincial ANC leaders warning that internal rifts threaten service delivery before local elections. The party has tasked its integrity commission with investigating.
In a letter dated 25 February 2026, Nelson Mandela Bay mayor and ANC regional chairperson Babalwa Lobishe wrote to provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukaitobi, copying chairperson Oscar Mabuyane and secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. She claimed that while opposition figures like former Good party councillor Siyanda Mayana—who recently won a court interdict dismissal allowing his public accusations—remained vocal, her own ANC comrades were 'plotting my demise.' Lobishe pointed to factions from a November 2025 regional conference that have fractured party unity.
The core issue is Lobishe's alleged approval of leasing a R25-million transformer to Coega Steels for R250,000 monthly without council resolution, violating rules requiring public participation for assets over R10 million. Mayana reported this and suspicious Capitec Bank deposits (including R65,000, R80,000, R250,000, and others) to the Hawks in January, prompting an investigation and account freezes. The city is seeking judicial review of the lease.
Lobishe appeared before the ANC Eastern Cape integrity commission in February, with no verdict yet. In her letter, she criticized the provincial executive's silence amid media scrutiny, insisting the lease was a collective decision to save jobs. She named ANC councillors Sicelo Mleve, Eugene Johnson, Wandisile Jikeka, and Nonhina Maswana—rivals from her regional chair race—as leading the opposition, pushing for her special leave based on unsubstantiated claims despite council records.
The dispute also implicates former acting city manager Ted Pillay, appointed by the provincial executive, who proposed the lease. A criminal complaint against Pillay was filed by Good party councillor Lawrence Troon. Lobishe questioned why she faced punishment for following an official the party deemed incorruptible.
On 3 March, Mabuyane acknowledged the letter, saying the provincial executive would meet Lobishe. He stressed prioritizing service over 'squabbles.' Spokesperson Yanga Zicina voiced concerns over divisions ahead of elections, with the integrity commission's report pending.
