GOOD Press Statement by Lawrence Troon
GOOD Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor
11 January 2024
The GOOD party in Nelson Mandela Bay has submitted a motion of no confidence in the Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk as part of efforts to restore stability and ethical leadership in the municipality.
The Mayor has displayed escalating levels of incompetence, which has led to the significant deterioration of municipal affairs and a severe lack of ethical leadership. Service delivery has plummeted to unacceptably low levels, and the community is paying the price for this leadership vacuum that has left the municipality in a state of chaos.
Furthermore, Mayor Van Niekerk constantly finds himself entangled in a series of scandals, casting a shadow over his ethics and credibility. His actions and decisions have demonstrated a lack of commitment to the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability.
Not only did he abuse the use of municipal vehicles for personal joyrides, but he seriously damaged at least three, as well as an external rented car. It’s further alleged that he attempted to use municipal funds to pay personal legal fees, while he has been misusing the Mayoral fund and splurging on alcohol at goal day events.
In December last year, the Mayor also traveled to China on a very suspicious trip, while not informing Council, nor disclosing all the details and related costs.
Finally, the Mayor simply ignored a Council resolution in September to dissolve the board of the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) and fire the CEO Anele Qaba, and has continued working with the disbanded board.
As GOOD, we maintain that the Metro cannot continue with a delinquent Mayor who seems to care very little about his community.
We therefore call for the removal of Van Niekerk and for a new responsible and ethical Executive Mayor to be elected.
We are committed to bringing in dedicated and effective leadership.
The people of Nelson Mandela Bay deserve the necessary stability to address the multitude of critical issues facing the City.
Media Enquiries:
Lawrence Troon, GOOD Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor
Cell: 081 828 8518
Email: ltroon@mandelametro.gov.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za