GQEBERHA – A dispute has erupted between Nelson Mandela Bay’s (NMB) political leadership and church leaders after Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe was accused of misrepresenting the metro’s ‘dire state’ during a high-stakes meeting with the Premier last month.
The meeting on 13 August, chaired by Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane, was convened after church leaders wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for urgent intervention in what they described as “politically dysfunctional leadership”.
Church leaders highlighted the disconnect between official presentations and daily reality. Whilst District Police Commissioner Major General Vuyisile Ncata presented improved crime statistics, a triple murder in Fairview and double murder in Despatch occurred on the same night as the meeting.
Bishop Dr William Leleki, representing the Nelson Mandela Bay Church Leader Network wrote: “The mayor provided a briefing that painted a misleadingly positive picture of infrastructure and service delivery. This does not reflect the lived experience of our 1.3 million residents.”
The metro faces severe challenges including unemployment rising from 22.3% to 26.4% in Q2 2025, with 26 children dying annually from starvation and hundreds more suffering malnutrition, Leleki added.
The governing coalition comprising ANC (40%), EFF (6.7%), NA (2.5%), AIC (1.7%) and PAC (1.7%) faces criticism over its effectiveness. Church leaders argued that smaller parties with minimal voter support prioritise self-serving agendas over residents’ needs.
“Infrastructure problems persist across the metro, with potholes, malfunctioning traffic lights, and unpainted road markings on main routes and side streets.”
In response Lobishe has rejected suggestions for provincial administration, stating: “Our democracy gives us the responsibility to govern in the best interests of our people. My administration, with the support of provincial and national government, remains firmly committed to fulfilling this mandate.”
She acknowledged concerns whilst defending progress: “We acknowledge the real concerns around service delivery, crime, and economic growth. These are precisely the areas where my administration has been working tirelessly: stabilising governance, accelerating infrastructure projects, improving basic services.”
The mayor called for unity: “I call on all leaders in the church, business, labour, and civil society to walk this journey with us. Nelson Mandela Bay will overcome its challenges not through division, but through collective action.”
Church leaders plan to educate congregants about voting for effective leadership. Their first mass community meeting is scheduled for 11 September at St Stephen’s Church in New Brighton.
“We are committed to educating congregants across NMB wards about the importance of their vote and how to elect leaders who prioritise people’s needs,” Leleki announced.
The crisis follows correspondence with President Ramaphosa beginning 10 June. Despite the President’s 11 June response promising provincial investigation, no Department of Cooperative Governance representative attended the August meeting.
Church leaders continue pressing for Section 12 intervention whilst warning of potential unrest if conditions don’t improve.
