Gqabi contesting poll 'for residents'

FORMER Nelson Mandela Bay ANC councillor Andile Gqabi is ready to contest a by-election as an independent candidate in the ward he previously represented under the party.

Gqabi, expelled from the ANC in August, said he had received a mandate from residents to contest next month's poll on his own.

The former Ward 42 councillor was booted out of the ANC after national executive committee member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma found that the nomination process through which he was chosen before the 2011 municipal elections was irregular.

His expulsion has divided KwaNobuhle. The SACP in the area is backing Gqabi.

Still fighting his expulsion through the ANC's national disciplinary appeals committee, Gqabi said yesterday he was heeding a call from residents to stand for election. - Mkhululi Ndamase