Mayor Retief Odendaal removed by vote of no confidence

Democratic Alliance’s Retief Odendaal has been removed as the mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay following a vote of no confidence. Odendaal was removed by 62votes through an ANC, EFF, Northern Alliance and Patriotic Alliance coalition.

The special council meeting was brought on by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), accusing Odendaal of failing to act on the Auditor Generals findings that companies belonging to his deputy Mkhuseli Jack, were doing business with the municipality.

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BEFORE THE VOTING

Odendaal was recieved by supporters outside the Feather Market Hall by his supporters with cheers and hugs before the meeting began.

Earlier this week residents of KwaNobuhle blockaded the streets with burning tyres demanding the vote of no confidence not take place. The residents turned away the ANC representatives that were there to address and accused them of wanting to remove Odendaal and replacing him with someone with whom they can control.

They further accused the ANC of wanting to loot.

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They also said since the appointment of Odendaal in September 2022, they have been receiving services, which they never received under the ANC. The including the delivery and maintenance of chemical toilets. Under Odendaal the city installed 308 chemical toilets which the residents say are cleaned every second day as opposed to a hand full of times in a year under the ANC.

NEW NMB MAYOR

After being removed as mayor, Odendaal once again accepted nomination of being mayor going against speaker Gary van Niekerk of the Northern Alliance.

In a secret ballot, van Niekerk was elected as the new executive mayor of the metro. He becomes the third mayor of the city since the 2021 local government elections.

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With the position of speaker now vacant, former mayor Eugene Johnson of the ANC and the DA’s Rano Kayser accepted nominations. Johnson was elected as the Speaker of Council.

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In her maiden speech as speaker, Johnson said, “I want to ensure you that your trust is not misplaced. I will carry my duties as Speaker in a manner that benefits your trust.”

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