Call for policy review as councillors fear for safety

IN a bid to ensure the safety of councillors in Nelson Mandela Bay, the municipal public accounts committee (Mpac) called on the speaker’s office to speed up a review on the councillor support policy.

The call comes amid concerns around the safety of councillors in municipalities across South Africa.

The matter was raised by councillors during a debate on the lack of furniture and stationery in ward councillors’ offices.

The policy, the main purpose of which is to ensure the safety and general welfare of councillors, is under its routine three-year review.

ANC councillor Ncediso Captain called for a sub-committee to be established to ensure the review was speeded up and supported by councillors from all parties.

“The welfare of councillors is very important. We must draw up a policy for the welfare of councillors as we are still facing some issues in our areas.”

But DA councillor Morne Steyn said the establishment of a sub-committee was not needed.

“The remuneration of councillors is registered under the Bearers of Public Office Act and I don’t see what the purpose of any committee would be,” he said. But Captain said he failed to understand how Steyn could say the committee was not needed.

“We come from disadvantaged areas. During protests, residents burn our offices and threaten us. That is why this committee is critical,” he said.

ANC councillor Makhi Feni reiterated Captain’s sentiments.

“When we have instability in a ward it must be that policy that deals with the welfare of that ward councillor.”

“[When] your house has been burnt, your car has been stoned, the policy must be detailed around those things.”

Councillor support and petitions manager in the office of the speaker, Selwyn Willis, said he was visiting ward offices.

“We have come across offices that don’t have chairs, and we have to look at the urgent matters first.”

In July, the South African Local Government Association said about 90 councillors had been killed in South Africa since 2014.

Council speaker Jonathan Lawack said the policy review would take time.

“We are practical about the safety of councillors. If a councillor reports an issue, we take it to the safety and security committee which investigates the matter.”

“The officials are reviewing the policy and it sometimes takes long. But, unfortunately, we must respect the bureaucracy,” Lawack said.