The response below is based on an input provided by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape Province.
1. Councillor Bhelekazi Mabandla last attended council business on 31 August 2016 and on 27 September 2016 she submitted notice of her resignation.
In a letter dated 6 March 2017, from the Speaker of the Municipality to the MEC for local government in the Province, the MEC is informed of the council resolution of 28 February 2017 to remove Councillor Mabandla from municipal council.
On 12 April 2017, the MEC for local government in the province requested Councillor Mabandla for her views on this matter. On 2 May 2017 the councillor, through her attorneys, confirmed that she had resigned from the council on 27 September 2016.
2. No.
On 19 June 2017 the MEC for local government in the province requested the Municipality to declare a vacancy within 14 days of receipt of his letter and to call for by-elections after consulting the Electoral Commission.
3. No remuneration was paid to the councillor after 28 February 2017.