By Anita Dangazele
- Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe Lobishe says Siyanda Mayana demanded money to stop posting corruption claims about her on social media and she refused to pay.
- Former Good party leader Mayana denies extortion and says the mayor owes him R170,000 in legal fees after a court dismissed her interdict application.
Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe has opened an extortion case against Siyanda Mayana, a former Good party regional leader.
Lobishe said Mayana demanded money to stop posting corruption claims about her on social media. She went to the police on Wednesday evening to open the case.
“If Mr Siyanda Mayana believes that his allegations are true, he is free to present them publicly and, more importantly, before a court of law,” she said.
She said she had done nothing wrong, had never received money and had never made unlawful decisions as mayor.
The dispute began in January when Mayana started posting claims on Facebook about large deposits into Lobishe’s bank account. He suggested around R450,000 moved through her account, including amounts of R65,000, R80,000 and R250,000 on 18 December. He asked why her bank accounts were frozen.
Lobishe denied the claims. She said her account was never frozen and that a temporary pause on transactions was linked to routine checks on her small business.
The dispute also centres on a R25-million transformer leasing deal with private company Coega Steels. Mayana accuses Lobishe of approving the lease at R250,000 a month without a council resolution. He reported the matter to the Hawks earlier this year.
Mayana said the extortion case had no basis and that he never personally contacted Lobishe to demand money. He said he spent about R170,000 on legal fees after a court dismissed Lobishe’s interdict application and ruled she owes him that amount.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed the case is under investigation.
Some ANC regional leaders have asked Lobishe to take special leave. She refused and said she will only step aside if the party’s national leadership instructs her to do so.
Pictured above: Babalwa Lobishe at the Humewood Police Station on Wednesday.
Image source: Babalwa Lobishe/ Facebook page
