THE Democratic Alliance in eThekwini is taking the city to court over the alleged censoring of its councillor during a budget debate.
On the 29th of May, the eThekwini full council sat to debate and vote on the 2020/2021 budget.
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Due to lockdown regulations prohibiting large group gatherings, the meeting was held virtually via Microsoft teams and live streamed on Facebook for public viewing, with the majority of councillors participating online.
When Nicole Graham, DA eThekwini caucus leader, was due to speak, there were technical difficulties with the livestream which resulted in her not being able to give her speech.
Berea Mail reported that the whole meeting was marred by many incidents of technical failures.
In a statement, Graham said her microphone was repeatedly muted and speaker of the house, Weziwe Thusi, did nothing to resolve the matter.
“The live stream of the meeting – necessary in terms of the law to make the budget tabling open to the public – was also taken down at key points,” she said.
Graham said she wrote to the speaker, who acknowledged that she was muted but did not outline any plans to re-run the meeting.
“The DA’s court papers focus on these two ideas, as well as what public participation means in a local context,” said Graham.
The DA is seeking an interdict preventing the 2020/2021 budget from being implemented before the start of the new financial year (1 July).
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eThekwini Municipality have responded to the DA’s court challenge and insist they did nothing wrong.
“The city is confident that all processes and procedures as per legislation have been adhered to and the court ruling will be in favour of the city based on the merits of our case,” said Mxolisi Kaunda, eThekwini Mayor.
The budget was passed with 126 votes for and 10 against.
DA councillors logged out of the meeting after the incident and did not vote.
The case will be heard in court soon.
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