EFF to approach Concourt over city dress code dispute
THE Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has threatened to approach the Constitutional Court in defence of their red regalia dress code which they wear during the City of uMhlathuze Council meetings.
This was confirmed by one of the party’s interim leaders, Siboniso Khoza.
Khoza said his party has had enough of the uMhlathuze Municipality’s arrogance with regard to their red regalia dress code.
The latest development comes in the wake of yesterday’s (Wednesday) confrontation between EFF member Chicco Langa and city Councillor Mduduzi Zikhali, the chairperson of Community Services Portfolio Committee.
Langa has opened an assault case against Zikhali, accusing him of ill treatment and manhandling while being thrown out of the council meeting.
He claimed Zikhali ordered him out of the chamber after doing the same to EFF Councillor Rebecca Mohlala, whose sin was to wear her red regalia.
Langa said the City of uMhlathuze was treating their councillors like aliens.
‘It appears the ruling party has not learnt a lesson. The Speaker of the National Assembly tried to force our members to discard their red regalia, but the Constitutional Court ruled in our favour.
‘We will take up this matter with our National Chairperson, Advocate Dali Mpofu and seek his intervention,’ Langa said.
City Communications Manager Mdu Ncalane said the city will continue enforcing its dress code policy without fear or favour.
‘It looks as if the EFF did this deliberately, because Cllr Mohlala knows our dress code policy and decided to violate it. That’s why Cllr Zikhali ordered to leave the chamber.
‘No one was manhandled. Both Langa and Mohlala left the chamber peacefully. Langa, who was seated in the public gallery, was ordered him to leave as he was taking photos when Cllr Zikhali asked Cllr Mohlala to leave.
‘Taking photos during council proceedings in the chamber is not allowed,’ said Ncalane.
King Cetshwayo Police Cluster, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose confirmed that an assault case was opened at the Richards Bay Police Station.