Parliament, Thursday, 19 March 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has noted with concern the continued delays in, and incomplete responses to, requests for information following the committee’s oversight engagement with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality last year.
Following its oversight visit, the committee formally requested a range of documents and detailed reports from the municipality to enable it to fulfil its constitutional oversight mandate. Since January, the committee has engaged in sustained correspondence with the municipality, including multiple formal letters, follow-up communications and requests for clarification. These engagements demonstrate the committee's consistent effort to obtain the necessary information in a cooperative and structured manner.
The Chairperson of the committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said that despite these efforts, responses from the municipality have been delayed or incomplete. “These requests are not discretionary. They form part of Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to ensure accountability, transparency and effective cooperative governance. Timely and full cooperation from the municipality is therefore essential.
“These delays affect Parliament and this committee’s ability to assess progress on critical issues identified during the oversight visit. These include governance, financial management and service delivery matters that impact communities. It is therefore important that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro leadership respond fully and timeously to the committee’s requests.”
The committee calls on the Executive Mayor, Ms Babalwa Lobishe, and the leadership of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality to urgently prioritise full and transparent cooperation with Parliament, particularly with this committee. This includes submitting all outstanding information, furnishing clear responses to the committee’s queries and meaningfully engaging in corrective actions. The committee also expects the municipality’s leadership to appear before it on 24 March 2026.
The committee further calls on the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in particular the MEC, Mr Zolile Williams, to support and, where necessary, intervene to ensure that the municipality complies with its obligations. The role of the provincial department in strengthening oversight, monitoring compliance and supporting municipalities is critical to ensuring that matters raised are addressed effectively.
“We urge the municipality to provide the committee with all outstanding information as requested before its appearance next week on 24 March 2026. Continued delays and non-compliance will compel the committee to consider further steps to ensure accountability,” said Dr Mkhize.
The committee reiterates its commitment to constructive engagement, meaningful cooperative governance and working with the municipality to resolve the issues at hand.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, DR ZWELI MKHIZE.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Media Officer:
Name: Alicestine October
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za
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