Nelson Mandela Bay – Fraud-accused Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Deputy Mayor Gary van Niekerk has been placed on suspension – a move the GOOD Party says has no provision in the law.
The GOOD Party on Friday, (13 December 2024), said it was “shocked that the Coalition in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has protected Deputy Mayor Gary van Niekerk and chosen to place him on suspension instead of relieving him of his duties”.
The GOOD Party added: “There is no provision in law for ‘suspension’ of a political office bearer and this is an unlawful and illegitimate soft landing for Van Niekerk”.
The African National Congress, Economic Freedom Fighters, Defenders of the People, Northern Alliance, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, African Independent Congress, and Abantu Integrity Movement coalition chose to save van Niekerk, from a motion of no confidence, the GOOD Party said.
In this long-awaited council meeting, which was originally scheduled for the 28th of November and postponed twice to try to avoid the vote of no confidence, the majority in the council, led by this coalition, resolved to suspend Van Niekerk.
Van Nierkerk is under investigation by the Hawks for fraud and the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, for which he appeared in court on Thursday – the same day that Council considered the Motion of No Confidence.
The charges go back to 2022.
Van Niekerk had internal problems with his party, the Northern Alliance, which resulted in him not attending council for almost six months.
During his absence from council, Van Niekerk allegedly irregularly sought a legal opinion, for party political purposes, despite being informed not to do so by the acting municipal manager.
“The municipality was billed for the work and has been in a dispute over the fees for the past two years,” the GOOD Party said.
“A multi-party committee has already investigated the issue and found Van Niekerk unanimously guilty of breaching the code of conduct.
“This is not Van Niekerk’s first scandal, casting a shadow over his ethics and credibility.
“He has been accused of abusing municipal vehicles for personal joyrides, seriously damaging at least three, as well as an external rental car.”
The GOOD Party said in December last year when Van Niekerk was still the Mayor, he travelled to China and did not report to Council, nor did he disclose all the details and related costs.
“His actions and decisions have demonstrated a lack of commitment to the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability,” said the GOOD Party.
“Van Niekerk will remain an ordinary councillor and will still have a vote on municipality business.
“It is clear that fraud and corruption will continue to flourish under this new coalition.
“As GOOD we strongly believe Van Niekerk should have been permanently relieved of his duties.”
