Tensions flared again among Nelson Mandela Bay councillors, this time over complimentary tickets for the Springboks versus Italy Test match, with some accusing mayor Babalwa Lobishe and sports political head Sinebhongo Kwatsha of going offside by hoarding the freebies, leaving them on the sidelines.
The second Test between SA and the Azzurri is being held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
A WhatsApp group for councillors on the sports, recreation, arts and culture committee erupted on Thursday after news broke that the city had bagged tickets from the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), which runs the stadium.
Councillors said Lobishe and Kwatsha were given a batch of tickets that included suite passes, VIP access, and general admission seats.
This is not the first time complimentary tickets have caused turmoil among councillors
In October, councillors called foul after only being given a single stand ticket to Bafana Bafana’s match against Congo-Brazzaville, accusing the former sport, recreation, arts and culture political head, Bassie Kamana, of hoarding suite tickets.
MBDA spokesperson Nicole Klokow confirmed the agency sent tickets to Lobishe’s office for the Springboks game.
“As the operator of the stadium, the MBDA has, in agreement with the city, provided the allocation of available tickets to the office of the mayor.”
She would not say how many tickets were provided.
“All further queries on this matter can be directed to that office,” Klokow said.
Lobishe did not respond to repeated calls and WhatsApp messages at the time of publication.
Screenshots from the WhatsApp group show councillors pushed back after Kwatsha sent a voice note saying she did not receive any tickets.
One of the frustrated councillors referred to the debacle as a movie, with another stating he wasn’t surprised by the hoarding for such a big game.
In a message sent to the group, Kwatsha told councillors that Lobishe had received nearly 200 tickets from the MBDA.
“[MBDA CEO Anele] Qaba has confirmed, even the acting city manager is aware the tickets are with her.
“She is the one who requested all the tickets be sent to her, as per the conversation I had with the CEO.
“She has a suite — plus 75 suite tickets to accommodate sports, recreation, arts and culture and the economic development committee, plus 100 general tickets.”
In the voice note, Kwatsha then says: “It is best that councillors call the mayor directly to get tickets, as I don’t have a ticket for myself.
“I tried to call her, but maybe she’s busy and will get back to me.
“All the tickets were given to the mayor.
“The [party] whips must call the mayor to get tickets, even if I don’t get it’s fine. I’ll sleep.”
In another voice note, Kwatsha says: “She [mayor] was told it’s tickets for the city, which includes councillors.
“They [the MBDA] said since it’s tickets for the city, they must be given to the office of the mayor.
“I said it’s fine, but you must know this, the mayor might think it’s her tickets and might not share with the councillors.
“So you must bear in mind that if councillors get angry, they’ll be angry at you because I have warned you.”
PA councillor Alvera Hendricks is heard in one of the voice notes complaining about the issue.
“I truly think this is not right because you are the MMC [member of the mayoral committee], it is your full right to get the tickets, and now we all know the mayor does not pick up her phone.
“I just tried to call her now, and she didn’t answer, so how will we get the tickets?”
Later, Kwatsha posted: “I am trying my best to sort out the tickets.
“Please be patient, I will update you.”
When asked about the matter on Thursday, Kwatsha said all tickets were delivered to the mayor’s office.
“I’m not sure about the mayor keeping the tickets for herself.
“What I know is that the tickets are for the city, which are usually given to the municipality.
“I am not aware if she’s refusing to hand out the tickets or hoarding them.
“I have informed the councillors to contact the mayor to find out where they can get the tickets.”
On Friday, Kwatsha said there was no reason for councillors to be apprehensive.
“The mayor called me this morning to collect tickets for my standing committee, which is what I’ve done, and councillors will get them.”
An ANC councillor, who did not want to be named, said he had it on good authority that Kwatsha and Lobishe had tickets.
“I know two councillors who serve on the committee who got tickets.
“They even posted the tickets and Boks T-shirts they received on their WhatsApp statuses.
“As for Lobishe, she’s given some to ANC members who are in her faction, so those of us who support a different slate will be sidelined.”
A DA councillor, who also did not want to be named, said the tickets were meant for those on the committee.
The councillor, who sits on the sport, recreation, arts and culture committee, got his ticket late on Friday.
He said Kwatsha had posted a message on the WhatsApp group on Friday, promising to give tickets to councillors.
“At this point, I’m not sure if they’re for all councillors or just the committee members, but I’ll trust this when I have the tickets in my hand.”
The Herald
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