GERMISTON – The ordinary council meeting was rocked by conflict both inside and outside the Germiston Civic Centre on Thursday, June 25.
Outside the council, Lungile Mtshali members protested the perceived lack of delivery on promises made by the metro.
Within the council building, a political debate between councillors from the DA, ANC and other opposition party members degenerated into name-calling, shouting, and culminated in a group exodus by the DA.
What began as a debate turned sour when a DA party member was accused of being a ‘front’. DA councillors asked for a retraction and apology.
Speaker of the house, Clr Patricia Khumalo, ruled that the statement was in keeping with the tone of a political debate. She stated that during these kinds of debates, political parties have to take hard knocks, but that it is the nature of the exchange.
Councillors from the DA vehemently disagreed with the ruling and called for Khumalo’s removal as speaker.
Council members became rowdy with accusations of racism and unfairness being volleyed across the aisles. The shouting match ended with DA councillors leaving the gathering.
DA leader in Ekurhuleni Clr Fortune Mahano stated, “The ANC accused the DA of being scared of political debate and stated that this was the reason for the walk-out. The truth is far simpler, it is a matter of principle, and the DA will not tolerate being debased in this outrageous manner at every meeting.”
As the meeting still constituted a quorum, the council was able to proceed with the items on the agenda.
This incident was the second time this year that DA councillors have left a council meeting in protest.
The first walk-out was staged during the March ordinary council meeting after DA councillors disagreed with the decision to implement the Institutional Review in the next financial year.
