O R Tambo ‘red cards’ EFF overalls

THE first O R Tambo district council meeting got off to a dramatic start in Mthatha yesterday when newly elected speaker Xolile Nkompela instructed the sergeant-at-arms to escort EFF councillors out of chambers.

He also ordered a Mthatha Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association councillor to leave the chamber for not wearing a tie.

The evictions came after two EFF councillors arrived at the inaugural sitting wearing their trademark red overalls, gumboots, hard hats and an apron for the woman councillor.

After being elected unopposed and sworn in, Nkompela’s first act of business was to send a strong message – that of being a no-nonsense presiding officer.

Minutes after assuming his new role, the speaker reminded councillors that the dress code passed by the previous council accommodated only formal wear from male councillors.

He then instructed the two EFF councillors to leave council chambers as they had violated the district council’s dress code.

This resulted in a heated debate, with DA councillor Thembalihle Xhangayi coming to the EFF’s defence, saying the new councillors should not be kicked out as they were not aware of the dress code.

However, newly elected council chief whip Thokozile Sokhanyile backed Nkompela.

Before leaving, EFF caucus leader Unathi Khethwa tried to argue his point.

“It’s not about wearing suits but about service delivery for the masses out there.

“For you to discuss wearing suits is really not in order and we will challenge this.”

Yesterday’s events come after the Ingquza Hill council also kicked out an EFF councillor for wearing overalls in its first meeting last week, while at Engcobo EFF councillors threatened legal action before they were sworn in last week.

Once the drama was over, mayor Nomakhosazana Meth promised that the district’s supply chain management policy would be reviewed to ensure that 60% of municipal projects were awarded to local SMMEs.

She also promised that hawkers would be provided with safe storage and ablution facilities.

Meth vowed that villagers being without water for months would be a thing of the past and the municipality would work to fix broken water pipes as soon as they were reported.

Opposition parties and traditional leaders all threw their weight behind Meth and pledged their cooperation. —