Cape Town — Deputy Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Gary van Niekerk, has been suspended following a vote of no confidence against him during a council sitting on Thursday.
His suspension comes after 56 out of the 120 voted in favour of it, while 46 voted against it. He was in court ahead of the council meeting, where he was accused of cyber fraud and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act.
According to SABC News, Babalwa Lobishe said Van Niekerk is set to remain as an ordinary councillor.
“The council has just taken a decision to set aside the Deputy Mayor so that council work can continue. Remember there are functions that are delegated to his office and we are not going to continue as if nothing has happened – it’s going to hamper some of the functions allocated to him as well. We have started a process as the same council referred his matter to the MEC for COGTA,” Lobishe said.
According to IOL, Lobishe said all due processes had to be followed to suspend van Niekerk. Shortly before he was suspended, it is alleged that he hired legal counsel from a law firm in 2022 when his seat was declared vacant. He had racked up a legal bill of R551 376.
The matter against van Niekerk has been postponed until January 15, 2025, for further investigation.
The Mayor of Nelson Mandela Metro Babalwa Lubishe has confirmed that Deputy Mayor Gary Van Niekerk has been suspended as Deputy Mayor of NMB. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/d9L612OVzR
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) December 12, 2024
The Good Party released a statement and expressed its shock that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has chosen to protect van Niekerk.
“There is no provision for “suspension” of a political office bearer and this is an unlawful and illegitimate soft landing for van Niekerk. The ANC, EFF, DOP, NA, PAC, AIC and AIM coalition have chosen to save van Niekerk from a motion of no confidence,” Good’s Lawrence Troon said.
Troon said van Niekerk’s actions and decisions have shown a commitment to the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability.
“Van Niekerk will remain an ordinary councillor and will still have a vote on municipality business. Fraud and corruption will continue to flourish under this new coalition,” he added.
The Good Party is shocked that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has protected Deputy Mayor Gary van Niekerk and chosen to place him on suspension. Van Niekerk is under investigation by the Hawks for fraud and the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, for… pic.twitter.com/asGSTn5H2I
— GOOD (@ForGoodZA) December 13, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
