Nelson Mandela Bay’s Deputy Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, will proceed to trial in December after declining a plea agreement offered by the State. The charges relate to cyber fraud and violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act. Van Niekerk’s decision means the case will be fully litigated, potentially revealing further details about the allegations against him. The State had presumably sought a quicker resolution through the plea deal. This development introduces further instability within the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality. The trial’s outcome could have significant implications for van Niekerk’s political career and the city’s governance. Further court dates will be announced as the trial approaches.