SPEAKER of the eThekwini Municipality, Logie Naidoo, has lashed out at what he called a “distorted version of events” around the homophobic slur that was hurled at an openly gay councillor at a council meeting last week. The DA councillor, Martin Meyer, was furious after he tried to make an announcement about Durban Pride that took place at the weekend. Meyer said a female ANC female councillor was to blame.
But Naidoo said this was not true, but rather a case of Meyer not following the rules of the council. In a statement Naidoo, said councillor Martin Meyer presented a distorted version of events as to what transpired at the council meeting last week Wednesday.
“Councillor Meyer was out of order in attempting to ‘sneak-in’ an announcement on Durban Gay Pride without giving notice of his intention, as he tried to make the announcement after the Speaker’s report which is not permitted in terms of the orders for the meeting. Councillor Meyer should have contacted me before the meeting, but failed to do so,” Naidoo said in the statement.
Meyer told Northglen News last week that although he had asked Naidoo to take action against this councillor and other councillors who have previously made homophobic slurs directed at him, nothing had been done to date.
Naidoo added that Durban was an events city and said the eThekwini Municipality supported all events, from sporting to cultural, political, conferencing, religious or community.
“We were not informed about Durban Gay Pride. As an ANC run city we support the constitutional rights of all people including gays and lesbians. We do not promote homophobia.
“We support Durban’s LGBT community and look forward to continue working closely with them,” he said.
Manager of the Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre, that organises Durban Pride, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, said it came as a surprise to her that Naidoo did not know about this year’s event, because the municipality was notified and gave the organisers permission to run the event.
