By Anita Dangazele
Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor Gary van Niekerk has refused to resign, even though the ANC in the Eastern Cape has told him to.
Van Niekerk says his main focus is delivering services to the people and that he won’t get involved in political arguments about coalitions or positions.
“I am not resigning or thinking about resigning,” Van Niekerk said in a statement.
“Together with the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, we have a job to do.”
Scrolla.Africa reported on 9 September that Van Niekerk was expected to resign by the end of the week after ANC national executive committee member Bathabile Dlamini visited the city.
Dlamini was sent to tell the regional structure about the ANC NEC’s resolution that the party should lead in municipalities where it has the most seats.
On Monday, deputy mayor and ANC regional leader Babalwa Lobishe said the party expected a smooth transition, believing Van Niekerk would work with them.
However, insiders said Van Niekerk and Lobishe were supposed to resign, with Lobishe being elected mayor at a council meeting on Thursday.
This meeting was cancelled because Van Niekerk would not be available.
An insider explained that while Van Niekerk has the right to refuse, the ANC can still remove him through a motion of no confidence.
“He has the right to stay, but we will remove him one way or another,” the insider said, adding that the motion for his removal would be prepared for the next council meeting.
Van Niekerk, from the National Alliance (NA), became mayor in May 2023 after forming a coalition with the ANC, PA, EFF, PAC, and AIC.
Pictured above: Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor Gary Van Niekerk.
Source: Anita Dangazele
