Historic council meeting underway in Port Elizabeth
The first council meeting of the Nelson Mandela Bay metro - after the 2016 Local Government Elections has gotten underway amid rowdy scenes at the Feather Market centre in Port Elizabeth.
DA-led coalition is set to take over the municipality, with Athol Trollip sworn in as mayor today.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane, and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, are currently in attendance.
On Wednesday, the ANC conceded defeat in the municipality, after it was announced that a multi-party coalition government has been formed between the DA, the United Democratic Movement (UDM), the African Christian Democratic Party, and Congress of the People (COPE).
This morning, tensions ran high even before the start of the historic council meeting.
Acting municipal manager, Johann Mettler, confirmed he had today received a letter from lawyers representing the ANC, asking for the council meeting to be postponed.
The party claimed to be dissatisfied with the allocation of proportional representation seats.
The council meeting proceeded as scheduled.
As a result, ANC councillors arrived 30 minutes late to the meeting, further delaying proceedings. They claimed they were unable to enter the venue because of the crowds gathered outside the venue.
As the election got underway, several points of order were dismissed.
Jonathan Lawack was elected as speaker, while Athol Trollip elected as executive mayor - unopposed.
A rowdy and excited crowd has cheered and screamed as Trollip addressed them. Listen below -
Athol Trollip has officially been elected as MAYOR of Nelson Mandela Bay! #NMBcouncil pic.twitter.com/kF5qVvxJLC
— #KhulaDA (@Our_DA) August 18, 2016
Jonathan Lawack has officially been elected as Speaker of #NMBcouncil. pic.twitter.com/tYwZc66Ekx
— #KhulaDA (@Our_DA) August 18, 2016
The inauguration of the new political leadership will take place later today.