THE scene outside the Durban City Hall this morning turned violent, as police used stun grenades to disperse the growing crowd of supporters calling for the reinstatement of Durban Mayor, Zandile Gumede.
The protesters blocked Dr Pixley Ka Seme Road as well as all entrances to the City Hall, and events later turned violent with some protestors being arrested.
There have been reports that some of the protesters threatened municipal staff as they arrived for work.
Democratic Alliance (DA) eThekwini Environmental Planning and Climate Protection spokesman, Marlaine Nair said the party was outraged by the ‘political crisis that is facing the city’.
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She confirmed that the committee meeting, scheduled for today had been cancelled, due to safety concerns.
“It is unacceptable that as councillors we are unable to perform our oversight role, because the African National Congress (ANC) cannot take decisive action against the Mayor or her supporters,” she said.
“At the now cancelled meeting of Economic Development and Planning Committee, we were going to deliberate and vote on many important issues such as the draft student accommodation policy, Durban Green corridor funding renewal, budget statement report, service delivery and budget implementation plan and other key developmental approvals. The internal instability in the ANC has now put these issues on hold,” she added.
Nair said she felt that this was impeding on economic development, and ultimately the much needed job creation.
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“It time for the ANC to put the people of eThekwini first and get rid of Zandile Gumede,” she concluded.
Gumede was placed on a 30-day suspension last month pending the outcome of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee investigation, after she was charged with corruption involving a multi-million Rand waste tender.
She was set to return to her duties on Wednesday.
However, the ANC’s provincial secretary general, Mdumiseni Ntuli said yesterday the investigation was almost complete and a decision would be made when the committee meets in the first week of August to take a final decision on the matter.
This morning, Gumede’s supporters continued with their protest. The roads are now open to traffic and a strong police presence remains outside City Hall.
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