DA says it stepped in to clean Gqeberha streets after PA rally
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape says its councillors helped clean streets in Sydenham, Gqeberha, on Sunday morning, 18 May 2025, following a Patriotic Alliance (PA) rally held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Former NMB mayor and DA councillor, Retief Odendaal, shared images and comments on social media. He expressed frustration over the state of the area following the event.
While acknowledging that large gatherings often result in some litter, he questioned why the PA had not arranged for a clean-up after their rally.
The event, held on Saturday,17 May 2025, in Gqeberha, drew a large crowd. By Sunday morning, litter remained in the streets surrounding the venue. Odendaal stated that residents had raised concerns about the condition of the area.
'We usually have to clean the ANC's mess, but now we also have to clean after the PA. Not very patriotic, I would say,' Odendaal said.
According to Odendaal, the PA stated they had paid for the use of the stadium. They said that cleaning was included in the venue costs. He noted that this did not cover the surrounding streets, which were also affected.
At the time of publication, the PA had not released an official statement addressing the cleanup. Do event fees cover the true cost of public space maintenance?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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