Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor Gary van Niekerk suspended

Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Deputy Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, has been suspended from the position.

His suspension was put to the vote in council and 56 of the 120 in the council voted in favour, with 46 against.

Van Niekerk was in court before the council meeting. He’s accused of cyber fraud and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act, related to the appointment of a legal firm while he was the Speaker of the council.

Current Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, says Van Niekerk will remain 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.”

Van Niekerk is accused of hiring Boqwana Burns Incorporated in 2022 when his seat in the council was declared vacant by now-suspended city manager Noxolo Nqwazi. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/8tR0v9FJb2

— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) December 12, 2024

Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Deputy Mayor suspended: