The monkey won’t go away
KNYSNA - Knysna Municipality Speaker Mncedisi Skosana has initiated formal procedures against DA Ward 9 Councillor Sharon Sabbagh following reasonable suspicion of a breach of conduct, according to a statement released by the municipality.
Skosana is in the process of appointing an independent investigator to carry out the investigation, said the statement released on 3 April.
Two charges of crimen injuria were also laid against Shabbagh, one by EFF Councillor Neil Louw on Wednesday 3 April, and the other by PA Councillor Beauty Charlie on Thursday 4 April, with another complaint to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
The charges and complaints stem from an incident during a committee meeting on Tuesday 26 March when Sabbagh, who had the floor, was constantly interrupted. A replay of the meeting recording revealed that, after the umpteenth interruption and pleading to be heard, Sabbagh asked: "… are we going to have a yappa yappa monkey circus going on here...?"
Sabbagh has vehemently denied calling anyone a monkey and DA Constituency Head for Knysna Dion George came up for her. "The councillor's comments have been misconstrued and shamefully used to deflect voters' attention from the destruction the ANC/PA/EFF/PBI coalition caused in Knysna as a result of their absolute failure to deliver services to residents, especially lower income households," said George.
In the meantime the ANC provincial secretary Neville Delport, has questioned the delay in the investigation of Sabbagh and action against her by the DA "for comments directed at black councillors, especially meeting chairperson, Thando Matika".
In his statement, Delport alleged that Sabbagh had said, "I will teach Matika how to manage a meeting and not this yappa, yappa, monkey circus".
Delport said all that was needed was for the speaker's office, the SAHRC and SAPS to listen to the recording of the meeting to arrive at a speedy resolution to the issue.
In fact, the replay clearly indicated that Sabbagh had directed the comment - and not the version of it that Delport alleged - at another councillor, not Matika.
Skosana said the findings of the investigation launched by him will be presented to Council in an open meeting, as mandated by the code of conduct.
He said he had launched the inquiry in terms of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act to authorise the investigation.
"Suspicions were raised on 26 March 2024 during the special finance and governance committee meeting, prompting me to take necessary action in accordance with due process outlined in the code of conduct. Subsequent to this meeting my office has received numerous complaints pertaining to the same," said Skosana.
Skosana said Sabbagh would be given a reasonable opportunity to respond in writing regarding the alleged breach.
Louw said Sabbagh's remarks had upset him "deeply and impaired my dignity".
In addition, Louw had also handed a complaint on the allegations to the speaker of the Knysna Municipality, calling for action against Sabbagh.
Deputy Mayor Albert Marbi confirmed that the PBI withdrew a motion of exigency against Sabbagh at a council meeting on Tuesday 2 April.
This was done after it became known that Louw had already submitted a formal complaint to the speaker.