Editorial: Handling of conflict sets tone for future

The Nelson Mandela Bay council is expected to hold a special sitting today, its second attempt in less than a week, to table key reports which, by law, must be processed by the end of the day.

Last week’s council meeting was aborted following a no show by the UDM and a walkout by opposition parties, which left the DA-led coalition government without a quorum.

At issue – at least at face value – is a standoff between mayor Athol Trollip and his deputy, the UDM’s Mongameli Bobani, over a range of issues, chief among them the appointment of city manager Johann Mettler.

Coalition governments are precarious by nature.

Therefore the butting of heads between the two leaders is perhaps to be expected.

Equally not surprising is that the ANC has jumped at the opportunity, preparing to put forward a motion for a vote of no confidence in Trollip.

Today we report that in a bid to resolve the deadlock, Trollip and Bobani were due to meet their respective party principals in Cape Town last night.

At the time of writing, the outcome of that meeting was not known.

If Trollip and Bobani smoke the peace pipe, the ANC’s motion – should it be put to a vote – will likely fall flat.

However, if the two leaders fail to reach a compromise in Cape Town, today’s council meeting could have far-reaching consequences for the coalition government and, by extension, political stability in the city.

Regardless of what happens, the next few days are crucial.

Not only will they be a litmus test for political conflict management, they will set the tone for things to come, and reveal the extent of political allegiances in the metro.

In such times, it is perhaps essential for all parties involved to be mindful that on the other side of their actions is a watchful electorate which holds the ultimate power.