PORT ELIZABETH - NELSON MANDELA BAY METRO MAYOR JORDAAN'S METRO POLICE ANNOUNCEMENT MET WITH SKEPTICISM

Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Mayor, Danny Jordaan has announced that the metro will see an introduction of metro police in April.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro could have metro police by next month.

Mayor Danny Jordaan has sparked rage by members of the council when he announced plans to introduce metro police.

He said the delay has been as a result of a reshuffle within the unit, which saw two people stepping down.

Things got heated at the council chamber in Port Elizabeth, just before Jordaan took to the stage to address the council.

Jordaan says what's missing is the appointment of the head of the metro police.

“The matter of police is the matter that we need to finalize and get the police on the streets. The delay of course as this country knows the fact that the head of security has changed over the last few months and today as a special item on this special and urgent meeting we want to finalize this matter as a matter of urgency. By April we should have the people on the streets,” says Jordaan.

Council members were not impressed. United Democratic Movement (UDM) councilor, Mongameli Bobani says such promises have been made in the past.

Bobani says, “Ever since he took over office he's been saying that about metro police. Last year we were expecting the metro police to be launched and also he's always saying that the metro police will be launched and then they keep postponing. We are hoping that this time he's telling the residents of the metro the truth and that really this metro police are going to happen.”

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader, Retief Odendaal also showed no faith in the mayor's announcement.

He says there is no budget for the metro police; however he will wait and see.

VIA - sabc.co.za