Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
The problems included spending on contracted services, money billed for services, assets, and money promised under contracts. They also included the cost of cleaning up landfill sites and the Swartkops River. The Auditor-General says the number of problem areas grew from the year before. The Auditor-General raised no doubt that Nelson Mandela Bay can keep running and paying its bills. The Auditor-General's report sums up Nelson Mandela Bay in one line: "Urgent action is required to restore stability and accountability". Here, accountability means leaders and officials answering for what they do.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 206 (PDF page 210), 'Nelson Mandela Bay' profile: headline 'Urgent action is required to restore stability and accountability'; 'Five-year audit outcomes' row: 2020-21 and 2021-22 qualified with findings, 2022-23 unqualified with findings, 2023-24 and 2024-25 qualified with findings; 'Performance report - Audit opinion: Disclaimed'; 'Going concern uncertainty No'; 19 material findings. Printed page 207 (PDF page 211): 'Although the audit opinion remained unchanged, the number of qualification areas increased'
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Row 176 (Nelson Mandela Bay Metro): 2024-25 Qualified, 2023-24 Qualified, 2022-23 Unqualified, 2021-22 Qualified, 2020-21 Qualified. Row 294 (consolidated) the same.
Daily Maverick. Published 20 January 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (qualified opinion for the second consecutive year, seven material findings against four the year before); paragraph 3 (areas flagged); paragraphs 6-19 (contracted services overstated by R466 million; service charges; property, plant and equipment; provision for the rehabilitation of the Swartkops River; provision for the rehabilitation of landfill sites; capital commitments). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Babalwa Lobishe (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance, Defenders of the People, African Independent Congress. From Oct 2024 to present.
EWN. Published 31 October 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (ANC councillor Lobishe elected uncontested as mayor); paragraph 2 (she resigned as deputy mayor on Thursday morning); paragraph after the 'ALSO READ' link (Van Niekerk elected deputy mayor unopposed)
Daily Maverick. Published 21 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 6 (AIM's Khusta Jack resigned from the coalition in May); paragraph 7 (ANC 47 in coalition with EFF 7, NA 3, Defenders of the People 2, PAC 1 and AIC 1, with UDM voting support; 62 of 120 seats). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
Daily Maverick. Published 13 September 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 5 (three government changes since 2021); paragraph 11 (coalition partners the EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance and AIC); paragraph 14 (EFF leads Electricity and Energy, and Budget and Treasury). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
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