Note to Editors: Please find attached a soundbite by Retief Odendaal MPL
- DA delivers request at Union Buildings calling on Pres Ramaphosa to intervene in NMB
- The municipality must implement the SIU’s findings into the streetlight tender scandal
- We delivered a letter to the Acting Police Minister, demanding intervention in NMB’s crime crisis
The fight for the soul of Nelson Mandela Bay reached the Union Buildings today, as I hand delivered requests of intervention directly to the Presidency and the Police Ministry in Pretoria.
I was joined by DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate, Alderman Cilliers Brink, in delivering a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The letter calls for urgent intervention by the President to ensure the municipality implements the SIU’s recommendations and findings into the LED streetlight and floodlight tender scandal in Nelson Bay.
[download pictures here, here, here and here]
The investigation was proclaimed by the President in 2024 and on 13 April 2026 the SIU findings were presented to the Mayor, Mayoral Committee, and the directorate.
A deadline of 90 days was set for implementation. The deadline of 13 July was ignored by this failed municipality that believes it can defy an investigation proclaimed by the President himself.
Shockingly, we have learned that the Municipality has laid frivolous charges against the official from the Internal Audit unit who has been leading the internal investigation into streetlights. The Municipality is now reportedly set to inform the SIU that documents relating to this investigation have been “lost” due to the alleged incompetence of that official. This is a clear attempt to sabotage the investigation.
We also submitted our State of the Bay report, highlighting the contrast between President Ramaphosa’s claim that ANC Mayor Babalwa Lobishe is “doing a good job” and the reality of a municipality plagued by failing services, poor governance, financial collapse and a lack of accountability.
This report focuses on critical areas such as:
- The SIU’s investigation into LED streetlight and floodlight tender.
- Persistent water leaks, water outages, and deteriorating infrastructure.
- Persistent Electricity outages and procurement concerns in the Electricity and Energy Directorate; and
- Deteriorating road infrastructure.
We then proceeded to the Ministry of Police, hand-delivering our letter to the Office of the Acting Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, once again demanding intervention in Nelson Mandela Bay’s out of control crime and gangsterism crisis.
[download pictures here and here]
It has now been 10 months since I wrote to the Acting Minister requesting national intervention. I have received no substantive response, and we have seen no measurable impact on the ground.
I once again request the Acting Minister’s direct intervention. Clear timelines for restoring specialised policing capacity, operationalising a Joint Operations Centre, and ensuring accountability must be given. Our residents cannot wait any longer.
The President and Acting Minister must act now to rescue Nelson Mandela Bay before more damage is done.
On 4 November residents will go the ballot box to vote in a DA government that will get Nelson Mandela Bay working again.