Gary van Niekerk Suspended as Deputy Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay

Gary van Niekerk, the Deputy Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, has been suspended following a vote of no confidence during a council sitting on December 12. The vote resulted in 56 council members voting for his suspension, with 46 voting against it.

What Led to Gary van Niekerk’s Suspension?

The decision to suspend van Niekerk was confirmed by Executive Mayor Babalwa Lubishe, who explained that the suspension was necessary for the continued functioning of the council. “The council has taken a decision to set aside the Deputy Mayor so that council work can continue,” Lubishe said. She further emphasized that the suspension was essential as van Niekerk’s role included several delegated functions that could no longer be carried out while he remained in office.

The council had previously referred the matter to the MEC for COGTA, with all due processes being followed to ensure proper suspension protocol.

This suspension follows van Niekerk’s appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court earlier on the same day. He faces four charges, including cyber fraud and violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The charges relate to allegations that he hired legal counsel from a law firm in 2022, racking up a legal bill exceeding R551,586. It is alleged that the firm was not on the municipality’s approved panel of attorneys at the time, which has raised concerns over the legality of the expenditure.

Van Niekerk’s case has been postponed to January 15, 2025, for further investigation. Despite the suspension, van Niekerk remains a councillor for the time being. This legal battle is expected to continue, and many are watching closely to see how the situation will unfold.

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