GQEBERHA, Thursday 15 October 2026 — Democratic Alliance (DA) Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate Retief Odendaal has unveiled proposals to upgrade public transport facilities and strengthen security at transport hubs across the municipality ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
The proposals were announced on Thursday following an inspection of the Norwich bus and taxi terminal in central Gqeberha.
Odendaal said the facility’s deteriorating condition demonstrated the need for improved maintenance, security and municipal management of public transport infrastructure.
Norwich terminal highlighted during inspection
Odendaal said he visited the Norwich terminal on Wednesday and found the facility poorly maintained, inadequately lit and unsafe.
He raised concerns about the condition of the building and the potential risks facing commuters and visitors using the transport hub.
The DA said the terminal had become a location associated with criminal activity.
The party has called for improvements to lighting, security, cleaning and maintenance.
Odendaal said the condition of public transport facilities affected commuters who depended on taxis and buses to travel to work, school and other destinations.
DA proposes transport hub upgrades
Under the party’s proposals, a DA-led municipal administration would prioritise the refurbishment and maintenance of public transport terminals.
The plans include improved public lighting, high-definition CCTV cameras and additional security measures.
The DA also proposes greater investment in cleaning services and cooperation with non-governmental organisations to maintain public transport facilities.
Odendaal said transport infrastructure should support economic activity by providing safer and more accessible facilities for commuters.
The proposals have not been adopted as municipal policy and would depend on the election outcome and subsequent budgetary decisions.
Metro police expansion proposed
The DA also linked its transport plans to a broader proposal to expand the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Police Department.
Odendaal said the party intended to double the number of metro police officers and vehicles within the first year of taking office.
It also proposes establishing dedicated tourism and taxi policing units.
These units would be responsible for improving visible policing at transport facilities and areas frequented by visitors.
The party’s longer-term objective is to increase the number of metro police officers to 500 by the end of a five-year municipal term.
It also proposes providing every ward with a dedicated metro police vehicle for round-the-clock patrols.
Integrated public transport system targeted
The DA said Nelson Mandela Bay’s integrated public transport system would require changes to its operating model.
Odendaal called for a redesign of the municipality’s troubled bus services and a new business model intended to improve their long-term viability.
He argued that different forms of public transport needed to operate in a more coordinated manner.
The proposals form part of the party’s wider campaign to improve municipal services and infrastructure management.
However, detailed cost estimates and funding arrangements for the proposed transport and policing changes were not provided in Thursday’s announcement.
Transport enters municipal election debate
Public transport infrastructure and community safety are among the issues facing Nelson Mandela Bay voters ahead of the municipal elections.
The condition of transport hubs affects commuters, businesses and visitors, while the management of municipal policing resources remains a responsibility of local government.
Odendaal’s announcement sets out specific commitments against which the DA’s election campaign can be assessed.
The next question will be whether the party can secure sufficient representation to implement its proposals and how the municipality would fund the planned improvements.
For now, the proposals represent the DA’s election commitments rather than approved municipal projects.
