By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Gary van Niekerk has confirmed his resignation on Thursday, with deputy mayor Babalwa Lobishe set to be elected as his replacement during a council meeting.
Van Niekerk will now assume the role of deputy mayor.
The council meeting was adjourned for approximately 30 minutes to allow councillors to caucus with their respective political parties.
After the adjournment, councillors will vote for the metro’s new mayor and a deputy mayor.
ANC regional chair and Deputy Mayor Lobishe is next in line if the ANC gets its way after her name was endorsed by the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).
The ANC is in a coalition in Nelson Mandela Bay with the EFF, Patriotic Alliance, African Independent Congress, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, and the National Alliance and the Defenders of the People, together comprising 65 seats, which it already calls a GLU.
The GLU model echoes the principles of the government of national unity, emphasising abiding by the Constitution, unity, inclusivity and social cohesion.
Both the ANC and DA have 48 seats each in the 120-seat Nelson Mandela Bay council, but the ANC says it is the largest party and thus deserves the mayoral chains. This is in line with the resolution by the ANC’s national executive committee, stating that the party should assume control of mayoral positions in hung municipalities where it holds the majority.