Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe survived two no-confidence motions tabled in a council meeting on Tuesday. The motions, brought by Freedom Front Plus and ACDP councillors, failed due to insufficient votes. The council also resolved to form an ad hoc committee to probe her office's responsiveness.
Nelson Mandela Bay councillors voted down two no-confidence motions against Mayor Babalwa Lobishe during Tuesday's council meeting. The motions were tabled by Freedom Front Plus Councillor Bill Harington and ACDP Councillor Lance Grootboom, citing service delivery failures including collapsed electricity pylons and an irregular R25-million transformer lease to Coega Steels. ACDP's Grootboom said the motions aimed to test opposition unity and address the city's poor financial position, with a cost coverage ratio of one month and 22 days.
Several DA councillors were absent, and most EFF members voted against the motions, leading to their failure. Good party councillor Lawrence Troon accused the DA of sabotaging the votes by staying away, claiming it could have secured up to 58 votes in favour. DA councillor Gustav Rautenbach dismissed the claims, stating they followed due process for absences.
The ANC’s Provincial Integrity Commission cleared Lobishe of wrongdoing in the transformer lease, finding no evidence she broke laws or benefited. She told the commission the lease saved jobs at Coega Steels. The council was later informed the agreement was unlawful.
Separately, scrutiny arose over a R88,029.64 trip to Cape Town on 16 March for a parliamentary Cogta committee meeting that had been postponed, due to a missed email notice sent on 13 March. The delegation, including Lobishe, incurred costs like R20,504.94 for her travel. Cogta chair Zweli Mkhize called it a mark of disorganisation.
The council resolved to establish an ad hoc committee from ANC, DA, ACDP and EFF to investigate the mayor’s office non-responsiveness within 14 days. Lobishe welcomed oversight but criticised the parliamentary session as unfair, refusing to apologise. DA councillor Siyasanga Sijadu called for her resignation.
