By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
File Photo: Nelson Mandela Bay sports, recreation, arts and culture executive director Noxolo Nqwazi .
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Manager, Dr Noxolo Nqwazi, has been placed on “precautionary suspension” after the majority of councillors voted in favour of suspension.
A special council meeting was convened just for the one item to deal with her suspension.
Council Speaker, Eugene Johnson, confirmed the “precautionary suspension” of Dr Nqwazi, which she said was based on an SIU report.
Nqwazi was arrested by the Hawks in October 2022 for her alleged role in the unlawful signing off of a R24-million tender for toilets to be installed in informal settlements. The tender was awarded during the pandemic-related National State of Disaster.
She is standing trial with the metro’s former human settlements director Norman Mapu; Nelson Mandela Bay ANC regional secretary Luyolo Nqakula; businessman Xolani Masela and his spouse, Nwabisa; and former DA councillors Trevor Louw, Neville Higgins and Victor Manyathi.
Chief Operations Officer, Sidim Dyani, has been appointed as the Acting Municipal Manager.
Earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana withheld from the metro almost R800-million in grants and agreed to release the money only on condition that action be taken against Nqwazi, among other conditions.
After the November 2021 local government elections, the political instability in the metro worsened as the outcome meant that only a coalition government could run the metro.
There are 12 parties with seats in the current council. The ANC and the DA received roughly the same number of votes in the elections and both hold 48 seats. The EFF holds eight seats.