The Democratic Alliance in the Johannesburg Region supports Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Metro, Athol Trollip, as he faces an unwarranted motion of no confidence launched by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

It is crucial that South Africans take note that the reasons behind this motion against the Mayor has nothing to do with his performance as the head of the coalition government in NMB. In fact, the Mayor has done excellent work and taken great strides in governance in the metro.  Indeed, a recent survey has shown that the city has moved to be one of the most trusted metros under his leadership.

Mayor Trollip and his executive team have done well since taking over a badly run metro in 2016. They have greatly improved service delivery and have worked tirelessly to expose, fight and stop corruption. Some key achievements by the City include a ramping up of the delivery of title deeds and a bolstering of the metro police force to secure and improve the lives of residents of this city.

Our fellow South Africans, including the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, should know that the EFF’s decision appears to be based solely on political self-interest and prejudice. Firstly, it is driven by a disagreement with the DA on how land reform should be implemented in South Africa. The DA believes that every South African should be given the opportunity to own the land they live on, within the framework of the Constitution, through effective land reform policy, whereas the EFF wants to see unconstitutional expropriation without compensation. The second reason, which Julius Malema has proudly stated, is that Mayor Trollip is being specifically targeted because of the colour of his skin. We condemn with the uttermost contempt this clear violation of the principles of non-racialism. 

We, as the DA Johannesburg Region, have full confidence in Mayor Trollip. We stand in support of him, and his team, as he faces this contemptuous motion by the EFF. The DA will remain resolute in our principles and in our objectives to serve the people of South Africa.

Media Inquiries
Heinrich Volmink, MPL
DA Regional Chairperson, Johannesburg

Lebogang Serapelwane
DA Gauteng Media Officer