Stop the Chaos. Start Service Delivery

Statement by Cllr Mbongeni Kotana – DA Mayoral Candidate for Port St Johns:

The ANC’s overthrow of its own mayor in Port St Johns, just three weeks before the local government elections, is a stark example of the chaos residents can vote to end on 4 November.

Yesterday, ANC councillors removed Mayor Cebisa Sane Mazuza and replaced her with Cllr Nelson Nontlevu. With just 20 days until voting day, the governing party is consumed by a fight over the mayoral chain.

Residents deserve an explanation for why ANC councillors have chosen this moment to overthrow their own mayor. What urgent public interest does this serve?

This is why the DA is calling on voters to Stop the Chaos. Start Service Delivery.

The chaos extends beyond the mayor’s office. Last week, Council also extended acting Municipal Manager Mandisi Ngxekana’s appointment despite objections from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams.

MEC Williams declined to confirm the appointment’s compliance with legal requirements, citing insufficient senior management experience.

The ANC’s game of thrones in Port St Johns, fighting for control of the final moments of the current administration, raises serious concerns about accountability.

The DA is concerned that this instability could weaken scrutiny of contracts, appointments, and expenditure. Every financial commitment made during this period must withstand scrutiny.

I have escalated the matter to the DA’s Shadow MEC for COGTA, Dr Vicky Knoetze MPL, who has written to MEC Williams to urgently establish the legality of the acting Municipal Manager’s appointment and ensure that the municipality has a lawfully appointed accounting officer.

She has also asked Williams to require the municipality to provide a full account of senior appointments and significant financial commitments made during the election period and the transition to the next council. This must include their legal basis, budget provision, and justification.

Dr Knoetze has also written to the Eastern Cape Provincial Finance MEC, Mlungisi Mvoko, to request that the provincial department intensify financial monitoring, particularly of new tenders, contract extensions, deviations from competitive bidding, and exceptional payments.

Municipal services must continue, and lawful obligations must be honoured. The ANC’s internal battles cannot become an excuse to bypass financial controls or burden the next council with unjustified commitments.

The DA is ready to replace this instability with accountable leadership and a clear focus on delivery.

As the DA’s mayoral candidate, I commit to restoring financial discipline, eliminating waste, making municipal spending transparent, and holding officials and councillors accountable.

Port St Johns needs maintained roads, reliable refuse collection, and coordinated action with the responsible authorities to improve water, sanitation, and electricity services.

Public money belongs to the people of Port St Johns. Every rand must serve their needs.

Port St Johns shows what is at stake in this election. Residents have the power to replace factional battles with a government focused on getting their municipality working for all.

On 4 November, vote DA to stop the chaos and start service delivery.