Rates threat as new city boss steps in

NELSON Mandela Bay's new acting city manager, Mpilo Mbambisa, stepped into office yesterday amid talk of a rates boycott as angry residents plan to revolt against a leadership crisis that has made him the eighth city boss in just four years.

Mbambisa was introduced to the media after a special council meeting yesterday, where he was officially appointed for a period of three months, or until a permanent city boss is appointed.

His appointment came just hours before the Bay Ratepayers' Association held a meeting at the Port Elizabeth Bowling Club last night where they discussed a proposal to withhold rates.

Although Mbambisa has a bad track record as the manager of the much smaller Chris Hani District Municipality, his bosses in the Eastern Cape Local Government Department say they have "full confidence in him".

Under his leadership, Chris Hani had a string of audit disclaimers and an adverse opinion.