Councillors storm out of BCM meeting

Questions raised on why same companies benefit from sponsorships yearly

At least two disgruntled Buffalo City Metro councillors walked out of a critical sponsorship committee meeting on Tuesday where recommendations about which festivals BCM should sponsor this year turned into a shouting match.

ANC councillor Sindiswa Gomba and EFF councillor Phindiwe Kaba walked out after raising their unhappiness about the companies put forward to benefit from this year’s sponsorship millions.

Approached for comment, Gomba said: “I am not going to tell you why I left the meeting.”

Kaba said: “As the EFF we just do not understand why the municipality insists on giving the same companies huge amounts of money and does not give other companies support and a chance.

“It’s the same thing every year. Also there were documents we were not given, including all the proposals that had been submitted.”

The sponsorship committee is chaired by local economic development portfolio head Mawethu Marata, an ANC councillor.

At the meeting the committee recommended that the upcoming Berlin November Traditional Horse Racing event should receive R1.5m as opposed to the R2m applied for by organiser Luthando Bara.

The council will take the final decision as all amounts over R400,000 need the council’s approval.

Last year BCM boosted the event with R1.2m.

“The meeting proceeded although some members walked out. As the DA we did not walk out as we wanted to hold the ANC accountable for their decisions,” said DA chief whip councillor Dharmesh Dhaya.