Patriotic Alliance withdraws from Nelson Mandela Bay coalition
The Patriotic Alliance has formally withdrawn from the DA-led coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay.
This was announced in a letter from PA national leader, Gayton McKenzie, to the mayor Athol Trollip on Thursday.
In the letter Mckenzie said the agreement they had was very clear, the Patriotic Alliance would only enter into a coalition with the Democratic Alliance when the position of Deputy Mayor is made available for PA occupancy.
He said after today's failed Council meeting where the matter was not even on the agenda, it became apparent that this would not materialise.
PA Counsellor Marlon Daniels, who tabled the motion of no confidence in the UDM's Mongameli Bobani, says he remains the acting Mayoral Committee Member for Public Health.
"Remember I am still the MMC, so the mayor has to remove me as MMC and when the mayor does that I will have no other option but to move to the opposition," explains Daniels.
The latest move by the DA leaves the coalition government without a majority in council.
Today's meeting was abandoned after members from both the ANC and UDM failed to attend, leaving the Council with no quorum.