Metro addresses the disorder in Council during SOCA (watch)
The Speaker of Council has come forward to set the record straight in relation to the disruption of the State of the City proceedings yesterday, March 29, in the Ekurhuleni Council Chamber in Germiston.
This is after chaos erupted during a special Ekurhuleni council meeting when members of the ANC and EFF nearly exchanged blows, during a debate over a motion of no confidence against the mayor.
READ STORY AND TO WATCH VIDEO: Chaos breaks out at Ekurhuleni State of the City address
According to Sphelele Nxele, spokesperson Office of the Speaker, preceding the call for the Mayor’s speech, Speaker Patricia Kumalo exercised due decorum in attending to a recurring matter brought through numerous points of order by the EFF.
“Having ruled on the issue and given the go ahead for the mayor’s address to be delivered, undue disruptions then occurred throwing the meeting into a disorderly state,” said Nxele.
“This led to decisive action being taken by the Speaker, in her capacity as the Presiding Officer of the meeting.
“According to Ekurhuleni Council’s standing orders, the Speaker of Council has the responsibility to maintain order in meetings.
“The second insert stipulates that the Speaker of Council may at any time during the meeting if she deems it necessary for maintaining order, direct a security officer to remove or cause the removals of any person.
“Additionally, Council has full legislative and administrative powers and as such the necessary security enforcement measures were taken to constrain the commotion and allow the meeting to continue.”
Nxele said the Office of the Speaker distances itself from any reports that insinuate incorrect procedure was followed in council and unequivocally states that any such reporting only seeks to be sensationalist.
“The Speaker of Council acted within her legal and procedural authority. We urge the public to be not distracted from the business of the day contained in the mayor’s address.
“The livelihood of the citizens of Ekurhuleni remains a key priority and the Office of the Speaker within Legislature remains the custodian of ensuring robust public involvement in governance. Our commitment to the city’s prosperity by ensuring improved delivery of services to our citizens remains unwavering.”
