SECUNDA – Silent protesters disrupted the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s last council meeting for the year on Thursday, 26 November.
The executive mayor, Ms Lindi Masina, could not finish her speech because the protesters held up placards that read, among others,: “GMM City of Corruption”, “Fix our streetlights”, “Govan Mbeki we don’t want we don’t need corrupt officials” and “Pay Eskom”.
Ms Masina said: “Honourable Speaker, I am being disturbed.”
Mr Anthony Makhaye, chief whip of the ANC, called for a caucus meeting whereafter he told the Speaker the media and the public are subject to stipulations of orders and requested the public to leave.
“The general public, visitors and media delegates are always subject to stipulation of Section 8 and any bridge of the section as well as subsections 38/ 1 shall constitute an offence.
“I want to put it to you, Mr Speaker, that this house has been disrupted by members of the public who are in their political attire with placards.”
Mr Cyril Gwiji, Speaker, made a ruling that the members of the public who were picketing, should leave.
Mr Bosch, DA councillor, said the public was allowed to attend the meeting according to the act and asked how a silent protest could be disturbing.
He also called for a DA caucus meeting and said afterwards: “We are highly concerned with proceedings here today.
“We will therefore leave the house with members of the public.”
Mr Gwiji had no choice but to adjourn the meeting until January.
