The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s deputy mayor, Gary van Niekerk, has been suspended following a vote of no confidence during a council sitting on Thursday, December 12.
The council voted 56 in favor and 46 against his suspension, which was later confirmed by Executive Mayor Babalwa Lubishe.
Speaking to the media, Lubishe explained, “The council has 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.”
She added that all procedural requirements were observed before the suspension.
Earlier that day, van Niekerk appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on four charges, including cyber fraud and violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
The charges stem from allegations that van Niekerk engaged a law firm in 2022 to challenge the declaration of his council seat as vacant by the now-suspended city manager, Noxolo Nqwazi.
The legal services reportedly cost over R551,586, and the firm was not listed on the municipality’s panel of attorneys at the time.
The case against van Niekerk has been postponed to January 15, 2025, for further investigation.
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