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 Auditor-General says the metro could not move residents into temporary homes while building went on. People had settled on the land without permission, and residents resisted the move. The project also had cost problems and problems getting it ready for use. The metro's temporary homes were below health and safety standards. People waiting for houses went without water, sanitation and electricity.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 170 (PDF page 174), table 'Findings on metro housing infrastructure projects (2024-25)': Walmer Airport Valley Phase 2 housing project, Nelson Mandela Bay, delay 8 months, ticks for cost issues and commissioning shortcomings, no poor build quality; bullets below the table name Nelson Mandela Bay for illegal land occupation, long-term registered beneficiaries not allocated housing or removed from the register, interim housing not meeting health and safety standards, and essential water, sanitation and electricity services not provided while waiting for housing. Printed page 207 (PDF page 211): the delay arose because the metro could not move residents into temporary housing, as illegal occupants had settled in the area and residents resisted relocation.
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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