NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CONSTITUTIONAL AND LAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
Published: May 11, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality notes recent public commentary and protest action relating to employment equity, labour legislation, and municipal recruitment practices.
The Municipality wishes to state unequivocally that all employment and recruitment processes are governed by the Constitution of South Africa, the Employment Equity Act, the Labour Relations Act, collective agreements, applicable regulations issued by the Department of Employment and Labour, and approved municipal policies.
The Municipality does not implement unlawful or arbitrary employment practices. Recruitment processes are conducted within a regulated legislative framework which seeks to balance fairness, redress, representivity, merit, operational requirements, service delivery imperatives, and equal access to opportunities.
As an organ of state, the Municipality is legally obligated to comply with national labour and constitutional prescripts. Any suggestion that the Municipality acts outside the law or independently determines national employment equity frameworks is both incorrect and misleading.
The Municipality further notes that matters relating to employment equity interpretation and implementation are subject to ongoing legal and constitutional processes within South Africa’s judicial system. It would therefore be inappropriate and irresponsible for the Municipality to litigate such matters through public platforms or political commentary.
Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the Municipality remains firmly committed to lawful governance, constitutional compliance, and protecting the dignity of all communities.
"The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will continue to uphold the rule of law and comply fully with all labour legislation and constitutional obligations governing employment practices in South Africa. We will not be diverted from our responsibility to build a capable, professional, inclusive, and service delivery driven administration that serves all residents fairly and equitably.
At a time when our communities are demanding jobs, economic growth, infrastructure delivery, and stability, we must avoid creating divisions among residents through inflammatory narratives that oversimplify complex constitutional and labour matters. Our focus remains on lawful governance, social cohesion, economic inclusion, and restoring dignity and opportunity to all communities of Nelson Mandela Bay,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
The Municipality respects the constitutional right of all stakeholders and residents to protest peacefully and express their views within the confines of the law. However, the Municipality cautions against misinformation or rhetoric that may undermine public confidence in lawful institutional processes or inflame social tensions in an already fragile economic environment.
Nelson Mandela Bay remains committed to transparent governance, fair labour practices, institutional transformation, skills development, and creating opportunities for all residents within the framework of South African law.
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