Demands for Removal of Mayor Lobishe Over Financial Mismanagement

The municipality is grappling with a significant deterioration in service delivery, and it has become evident that the current leadership has failed to prioritize the well-being of residents. The 2024/25 mid-year expenditure report revealed that the municipality only spent 29.9% of its budget. The severe underspending has potentially cost the municipality R262.5 million in grant funding, with the treasury invoking section 18 Division of Revenue Act and section 38 of Municipal Finance Management Act. More concerningly, the Mayor is yet to deliver an adjustment budget, further demonstrating her disregard for the municipality’s financial health.

The GOOD Party is also deeply concerned about recent reports of wasteful expenditure, including an alleged decision by the Mayor’s office to spend R90,000 on renting four BMWs for a day trip to Mthatha. This is a clear example of the mismanagement and financial irresponsibility that has plagued the municipality under her leadership.

The Mayor has increasingly interfered in the tender process, with her recent involvement in the camera procurement process raising serious questions about transparency and ethical governance.

This pattern of incompetence, mismanagement, and wasteful spending has severely impacted the quality of life for residents. 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.

We believe that if the motion succeeds, her executive, including Deputy Mayor Gary van Niekerk, Speaker Eugene Johnson and Chief Whip Wandisile Jikeka should all be removed as part of efforts to restore stability and ethical leadership in the municipality. The ANC, EFF, DOP, NA, PAC, AIC and AIM coalition has failed the people of Nelson Mandela Bay.