Nelson Mandela Bay — Nelson Mandela Bay city manager, Noxolo Nqwazi, has been suspended after a decision was made during an urgent council meeting.
In a meeting that took place behind closed doors, Nqwazi was placed on a full pay suspension and could also face potential disciplinary action. Media and the public were excluded from the debate.
According to AlgoaFM, Nqwazi is currently on trial along with several co-accused in a multi-million rand toilet tender saga in which she faces charges of fraud and corruption.
Nelson Mandela Bay metro city manager Noxolo Nqwazi has been placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome ofba disciplinary investigation @HeraldNMB
— 🅰️ndisa 🅱️onani (@Liefie_Pink) October 20, 2023
ACDP councillor, Lance Grootboom, said the item was tabled by the current governing coalition and supported by 62 councillors.
He said opposition parties, which included the ACDP, DA, Good Party, and DOP, voted against the item, while the UDM abstained and the Freedom Front Plus was not represented at the meeting.
Grootboom said they opposed her removal on the basis that it item table was “incompetent” in terms of procedure, and there was no “evidence in the report” to warrant Nqwazi’s suspension.
Following the meeting, council speaker Eugene Johson, told media about Nqwasi’s suspension and she also confirmed that the charges Nqwasi faces is based on the SIU report but declined to say anything further.
“She was invited to council and 62 councillors voted in favour of the suspension and the that current COO, Sidim Dyani, has been asked to act as the city manager for a few months,” she said.
Nelson Mandela Metro City Manager Noxolo Nqwazi has been suspended.
This decision was reached through a vote during an urgent council that was called by the Speaker yesterday.62 councillors voted in favour of her suspension.Speaker of council Eugene Johnson. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/acYoDBbFND
— Lerato Fekisi (@LThipa) October 20, 2023
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen