The special Tshwane metro council sitting on Thursday, kicked off to a rocky start.
The sitting at Tshwane House started off with council speaker Katlego Mathebe recusing herself due to conflict of interest, and calling acting speaker Zweli Khumalo to chair the council meeting.
However, EFF and ANC councillors would have none of it.
The EFF councillors went on to physically remove Khumalo off his chair.
Tshwane ANC regional chairperson Dr Kgosi Maepa claimed that Khumalo was “drunk and that we could smell alcohol on him”.
“Councillors who removed Khumalo on stage said he smelled of alcohol,” Maepa said.
ALSO READ: Tshwane leaders said to be causing residents ‘suffering’
“That is why we refused him to chair, because he smells of alcohol and has been drinking before the sitting.”
Maepa said this is what led to the initial protest.
“Residents in Tshwane should know that we are dismayed and disappointed,” he said.
He said according to legislation, Tshwane council did not have anything called a deputy/ acting speaker.
“In the absence of the speaker, council should take a decision on who must rule the sitting.”
He said that Mathebe should have recused herself when the vote of no confidence was about to convene.
ALSO READ: Tshwane emergency services ready for festive season ‘madness’
Maepa said representatives from the department of local government would soon assist in a way toward.
But DA Gauteng provincial leader John Moodey refuted that Khumalo had been drinking earlier.
“He was not drunk. I met with him two hours ago, and when I met him, he was not under the influence of alcohol.
“The acting speaker was elected by this council in a meeting. He was appointed as an acting speaker if Mathebe was not available.”
He said the election for an acting speaker was made by all parties at the beginning of the term.
“It is clear that the ANC is trying the same shenanigans as in Nelson Mandela Bay [municipality].”
ALSO READ: More water woes for Tshwane as two key reservoirs run dry
Moody said the presence of department officials at the meeting raised questions.
“Clearly a question arise, who do they worked for.
“MEC Lebogang Maile was here and was briefed by them, so this is a tactic for ANC to steal this metro away.”
Moody however also said that he was not confident that the DA would be leading Tshwane after the council meeting.
He said it was up to the motion of no confidence to pass as that would determine their future.
