Question NW1338 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
12 October 2020 - NW1338
Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What measures has she taken to intervene in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality under section 139(7) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, and/or any other empowering provision in respect of the (a) prolonged suspension of the municipal manager since September 2018, (b) failure of the municipal council to elect an executive mayor since December 2019 and (c) purported appointment of and/or assumption of office by a councillor in the position of an acting executive mayor?
Reply:
Section 139(7) of the Constitution was never invoked in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. In the 2018/19 financial year, the City experienced political challenges which resulted in the City Manager being suspended in October 2018 and the Mayor being removed from his position in December 2019. Based on the above challenges the National, Provincial COGTA, National Treasury and SALGA together with the Metro developed a Section154 support plan to ensure that the Metro remains functional so as to continue providing services to the communities. The support plan focused on service delivery, financial management, governance and service delivery.
End.