SEE: All the drama of the State of the City Address in videos and photos

Clr Mzwandile Masina, executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, leaves the Germiston Council Chamber to deliver his speech to people waiting outside.

March 29, 2017

Leigh Hodgson and Melissa Hart 1 minute read

EMPD officers and EFF and DA councillors clash during the State of the City Address, in the Germiston Council Chambers, on Wednesday.

Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, left the chaotic Germiston Council Chamber to deliver his State of the City Address to the people waiting outside in the street.

Once the councillors returned to their seats after the EMPD escorted EFF members out and the parties went into caucus, the DA said they felt the speaker, Clr Patricia Kumalo, should excuse herself because she had made bad decisions and endangered people’s lives.

The chief whip of council, Clr Jongizizwe Dlabathi, refuted this statement and asked why the matter had not been raised during the multi-party caucus.

The EFF said, “Madam Speaker, your behaviour and conduct has been in question for some time now.

“This time, we support the DA and think the speaker should excuse herself from the meeting.

“The ANC does not respect other parties as they will support the speaker’s decisions as she is ANC.”

They added, “No one should condone the decision to allow EMPD officers into the chambers with guns.

“The position of the EFF has been outlined and we cannot have a speaker who disregards the points of order raised in council and reduces council to a circus with her as the ringmaster.

“You have shown that any decision which favours the ANC will be passed or allowed.”

Clr Izak Berg, of IRASA, answered this and said, “It’s funny that the parties question the code of conduct when they allow their members to act against this code of conduct.

“So, I believe you (Madame Speaker) should keep your seat.”

As the meeting broke into chaos and shouting again, the mayor left his seat, along with a number of other councillors, including the speaker and chief whip, and went outside to start his State of the City Address.

After sangomas blessed the ceremony, the speaker formally introduced him and he took the podium to address the residents assembled in the marquee outside.

All the details of the State of the City Address will follow.