A South African court has dismissed an urgent interdict sought by Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe against former Good party regional chairman Siyanda Mayana, who accused her of illegal activities. Mayana claims he faces intimidation from ANC officials amid an ongoing Hawks investigation into her finances. The ruling allows Mayana to continue his public criticisms without legal restraint for now.
On Thursday, 19 February, Judge Shirley Tilana-Mabece of the Gqeberha High Court dismissed mayor Babalwa Lobishe's application for an urgent interdict against Siyanda Mayana, citing a lack of urgency, and ordered her to pay costs. The case stemmed from Mayana's January social media posts questioning why Lobishe's Capitec bank account was frozen following deposits of R65,000, R80,000, R250,000, and an alluded R450,000 in December. Mayana also alleged that Lobishe leased a R25-million municipal transformer to Coega Steels without council approval, despite advice against it from metro chief executive officer Jackson Ngcelwane last year.
In October 2025, acting city manager Lonwabo Ngoqo announced that the metro would seek judicial review of the lease agreement. Mayana reported these matters to the Hawks' Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit in Gqeberha, prompting a formal inquiry into Lobishe's accounts. An interim interdict had been granted two weeks earlier, barring further accusations, but it was lifted in the final ruling.
Following the dismissal, Mayana went live on Facebook, reiterating his demands for accountability. "I want the mayor to be held accountable, and I want her to go to jail. I’m not going to let go of this thing. I will let it go when Babalwa is no longer the mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay," he stated. He claimed the legal battle cost him hundreds of thousands of rands and refused to apologize or remove his posts.
Lobishe, in her 6 February affidavit via lawyers Vimba and Associates, explained the account freeze as resulting from her lawful small business selling synthetic hair. "There is nothing unlawful, unethical or improper about a public representative conducting a small business, provided that it is lawful and properly declared where required," her affidavit read.
Mayana dismissed this, saying, "No hair is being sold here. She knows where she received money." He further alleged intimidation by senior ANC officials at a recent social event in Summerstrand, Gqeberha, where a high-ranking figure warned him to stop "disrupting the programme of the province" or face harsh consequences. Despite the threats, Mayana said he would continue cooperating with the Hawks, who informed him Thursday morning of impending charges against Lobishe and possibly others. Lobishe did not respond to requests for comment.
