There was a lighter note, albeit rather dark humour, at this morning’s chaotic Council meeting.
While Mayor Richard Mbatha and Speaker Bongiwe Makhathini-Mbatha appeared to be still in office, despite rumours to the country, there was a question by ANC Councillor Lucky Khumalo as ‘why the gentleman (Mayor) next to the Speaker is allowed to address her (the Speaker) when the court had ordered him not to have contact with her, in terms of his bail conditions.
VIDEO: Council meeting breaks out into laughter as Councillor questions Mayor
The Mayor has been charged with conspiracy to murder the Speaker, along with two other men, and will be back in the Estcourt Regional Court on October 2. He has denied the charges as a political set up.
BREAKING: Mayor Mbatha, two others arrested for conspiracy
Bail hearing underway for Mayor Mbatha
BREAKING: Mayor out on R2000 bail
Mayor and co-accused back in Court but not happy with delays …
The Council Chamber – including Speaker Makhathini-Mbatha – smiled when Councillor Khumalo asked the question and even municipal manager, SR Ntuli, could not keep a straight face.
It appears to have not been a problem though and the Council meeting continued. During previous meetings, the Mayor vacated the chair next to the Speaker and had sat next to Councillor Raubenheimer of the DA. See tomorrow’s Courier for more details of today’s Council meeting.
