‘Hanging’ stops mayor’s speech
DISRUPTION: ANC COMMEMORATE MAHLANGU’S DEATH
‘Sad to witness once formidable movement become gang of hooligans.’
Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga’s first State of the Capital address turned into a staged performance by ANC council members of the hanging of Solomon Mahlangu yesterday.
ANC ward councillor Joel Masilela stumbled into the chambers with a noose around his neck, held by a fellow councillor, at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria West.
“This is for Solomon Mahlangu,” the councillors said as they sang struggle songs. Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters councillors sat in silence, attempting to ignore the disruptions while Msimanga was outside being welcomed by the Tshwane metro police parade.
The disruption followed an objection by ANC opposition at the council sitting last week, since April 6 was annually marked to commemorate Mahlangu.
Speaker Katlego Mathebe reminded the ANC caucus that they had approved the council calendar last year, but agreed to the ANC’s call to observe a moment of silence in memory of the hero.
Disruptions continued, however, when the opposition ANC provoked the speaker to remove them from chambers.
Police and Tshwane metro police officers surrounded the hall with nyalas and vans in anticipation. But the tables turned when police officers refused to enter the chambers, with some stating: “The DA complained when police were sent into parliament, now they want us in there. We are not going in there.”
A fuming Msimanga demanded that security and police do their work. He claimed the police received instructions from the ANC’s Luthuli House not to act.
Five hours later, proceedings were moved to a different hall in the events centre, where Msimanga addressed the council without the ANC caucus at 4pm.
“It’s sad to witness a once formidable movement, that attracted intellectuals and those who understood the meaning of freedom, turning into a group of hooligans and those that cannot hold the same principals Mahlangu died for,” he told the remaining guests.
Halfway through the address, ANC members left, leaving tables and chairs scattered across the hall. –