Speech Notes by Councillor Zanoxolo Wayile

SPEECH POINTS BY COUNCILLOR ZANOXOLO WAYILE THE HONOURABLE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF THE NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY TO: PRESS CONFERENCE ON STATUS QOU OF COUNCILLORS INVOLVED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT MONDAY, 16 JANUARY 2012, CITY HALL AT 12H00

Programme Director

Fellow Councillors Members of the Affected Families Members of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen

 Indeed a press conference of this nature, especially when fellow Councillors of the Nelson Mandela Bay are involved, is certainly the saddest and most difficult moment for us at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, and to share with you the sad and catastrophic news of the fatal accident which took the young lives of three of our dear and fellow Councilors, namely, Councillors Gumenge, Lose and Ngqondi and left 11 of our fellow Councillors with injuries of varied severity, namely, Councillors Bungane, Cobo, Gqabi, Jacobs, Ncamani, Stemele, Tofile, Dyantyi, Mlomo, Lindoor and Ndidi.. We are monitoring their respective conditions very closely and will keep you updated as to their progress and recuperation.

 At this juncture, allow me to express my deep and heartfelt empathy and condolences to the affected families of the deceased and injured Councillors during this sad period. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during these difficult moments.

 Also allow me to thank the SAPS, the medics on the scene and the hospital and staff to which they were admitted and everyone who gave support and assistance at the scene of the accident.

1 Ladies and Gentlemen:

 As is customary, the NMBM will take the necessary measures and initiative to intervene with assistance to the affected Councillors and their families. The dedicated Task Team, led by the Chief Whip, Councillor Sibeko, will consult with the families to establish what assistance is required and the way forward. Politicians and Officials from the NMBM have already been dispatched to provide assistance to the affected families.

 Our intervention will at all times take into consideration the devastating impact of this incident on the wellbeing of the families and of course the business of this Council and to ensure that contingency measures are in place and that the communities of affected Wards continue to benefit from service delivered, unabated.

 It is so unfortunate, that our dear colleagues should be the victims of the many road accidents that are claiming innocent lives on our roads in the Eastern Cape. In fact, we have always said and will continue to do so by stating unequivocally - that one death on our road is one too many.

 Incidents like these open our eyes to the reality of death on our roads. Indeed a sad incident in the history of the NMBM, one which I believe will galvanize us as fellow councilors and bring us closer and one that will inspire us to work together for the betterment of our communities.

 However we have to move forward together and respond in an effective manner to the challenge and ensure that all our contingency measures and planning is in place and takes full control of the situation!

I thank you. Zanoxolo Wayile, Executive Mayor