JOBURG – “Today, the ANC [African National Congress] staged an orchestrated attack on our democracy under the auspices of their front organisation, the Johannesburg Social Movement.”
This is what Mayor Herman Mashaba said in a press release shortly after chaos erupted at the 23 February Council sitting.
“This was a blatant attempt to prevent Council from passing the adjustment budget and bringing change to the residents of Joburg. We will not be deterred, the people’s business will be done. I condemn the violence that has broken out at the Johannesburg Council in the strongest terms; it has no place in our democracy,” he said.
Mashaba said he will lay criminal charges at the Johannesburg Central Police Station tomorrow morning.
” Today’s protest was clearly organised by the ANC in a bid to derail Council proceedings. The blame must be put squarely at the feet of the ANC who assisted the protesters in storming the Council Chamber and threatening the lives of councillors and City employees alike. Today’s march was led by the JSM, an organisation set up by ANC members to discredit the new administration,” Mashaba alleged.
He said the JSM received approval for a march of 300 people but arrived at the Council building with an estimated 1 000 individuals.
“This violence is about preventing us from tabling our adjustment budget for the 2016/17 financial year. This adjustment budget is a vitally important first step in ending the rot and patronage that was seen under the ANC in Joburg. It is clear that the ANC will do anything in its power to prevent this from happening.”
The ANC, however, said it was Mashaba’s arrogance that led to the council sitting degenerating into chaos.
The party’s Joburg spokesperson, Jolidee Matongo, said the ANC addressed the crowd after Mashaba did not want to.
You can read: BREAKING NEWS: Chaos in Joburg Council as marchers wreak havoc
“Upon the returning from the engagement, councillors found the chamber deserted and documents strewn all over the floor. We are disturbed by the fact that here has been damage to council property by some elements within the marchers and this could have been avoided if Mashaba had gone out to receive the memorandum,” he said.
Matongo added that the ANC called on the leadership of the protesters to instil disciple among themselves and to desist from destructive behaviour.
Finally, Matongo warned that this march will not be the last if Mashaba continues to display arrogance.
The Council sitting went ahead.
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