Tempers flared at a Nelson Mandela Bay public health committee meeting on Thursday after an official’s failure to attend led to the deferment of a report on department vacancies — for the third time.

Public health political head Thsonono Buyeye told councillors he was equally shocked to receive an email at 11am — an hour after the meeting was scheduled to begin — from human resources director Chris Jamda telling him he would not be attending...