THE last eThekwini full council meeting before the national shutdown was held online and in three different venues of less than 100 councillors, providing a glimpse into the future.
With President Cyril Ramaphosa having signed a decree banning gatherings of more than 100 people, the full council, which consists of 219 councillors, took a historic decision to allow councillors to participate via online video calling.
Other councillors were housed in two different venues in the City Hall where they participated via video conferencing. The meeting was not without its problems, as only 139 councillors were present of which 20 were tuning in via video.
Many of the absent councillors gave “indisposed” as the reason for their absence. All six members of the Economic Freedom Fighters did not attend the meeting. “We don’t understand what the rush was to have the meeting. They want to pass things so they are able to steal while we are still on recess, so we decided to not be a part of that,” said Mlebuka Hlengwa, EFF eThekwini Chairperson.
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On the agenda, amongst other things, was a vote for the mayor’s R52.3 billion draft budget (the 2020/2021 to 2022/2023 Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework) and a proposed water and electricity tariff hike. Councillors, mayors and city managers have all been listed under essential service workers.
During a squabble with opposition parties over an agenda item, Chief Whip of the council Sibongiseni Mkhize suggested that members participating via video conference were not taking the job of council very seriously. Mkhize said councillors not physically present at City Hall should not be allowed to contribute. All 18 councillors of the Democratic Alliance had been participating via online video.
Nicole Graham, DA eThekwini Caucus leader, said she was not going to allow members of her party to expose themselves to the coronavirus by being outdoors. “This arrangement was okayed by exco (Executive Council). I take my work seriously and not getting coronavirus seriously too,” she said.
Speaker Weziwe Thusi shut down the whip’s request saying,”These are difficult times, councillors participating online have every right to speak and participate.”
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