Tshwane tension rises

MEC Maile set to intervene after walkout by ANC, EFF

Gauteng cooperative governance MEC Lebogang Maile is expected to step in after ANC and EFF councillors in Tshwane staged a walkout from a special council meeting that was aimed at removing the DA from power.

The two parties told council before walking out of the chaotic meeting that they would be escalating the matter to Maile after speaker Katlego Mathebe repeatedly refused to recuse herself or allow them to determine the sequence of items on the agenda.

Maile had already warned earlier this week that he would intervene in Tshwane if proper processes were not followed by Mathebe. Maile said he had by late yesterday afternoon sent Mathebe a letter requesting a report of what transpired in council yesterday.

“I have also asked for the recordings of the meeting. I’ve given the speaker till Monday to respond. For now I can’t say much because I wasn’t there. I will be able to communicate by Tuesday the latest,” Maile said.

The meeting, which was called by the EFF and the ANC, was aimed at tabling motions of no confidence against Mathebe and mayor Stevens Mokgalapa, among others.

Following an hour long caucus break after chaotic scenes that involved a scuffle, EFF leader in council Moafrika Mabogaone and ANC chief whip Aaron Maluleka told Mathebe that they would be writing to Maile about her conduct.

Mabogaone said they were left with no other option but to leave the meeting because Mathebe didn’t want to listen to them.

Maluleka said they were leaving the meeting because they were “aggrieved” with Mathebe being partisan and going against the rules.

“You want to protect your position even though you’re the minority in council. We will find other avenues, we will write to Cogta MEC and the minister,” Maluleka said.

Mathebe had earlier told the meeting that cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) department cannot come to Tshwane and interfere in the council meeting.

“I have the responsibility to preside over this meeting,” Mathebe said.

The meeting had gotten off to a rough start with councillors from the onset not agreeing on the sequence of items on the agenda.

Tiyiselani Babane, the group head in the speaker’s office was embroiled in a scuffle with a female EFF councillor during one of the breaks.

Other councillors and officials had to come between them as they looked like they would come to blows.