Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Paul Mashatile has condemned the violence and chaos which took place in the Tshwane council meeting on Tuesday.
“The behaviour of councillors is both unacceptable and embarrassing. Such behaviour is not consistent with our stated commitment for tolerance and good governance‚” said Mashatile.
“The conduct that has been portrayed in the media is a serious indictment against those who were elected to carry the hopes of the voters who are now betraying that trust. This behaviour is an affront to the recent successful local government elections.”
Tuesday’s council meeting descended into chaos and violent confrontations which forced the speaker to call in metro cops and security personnel to restore order in chambers.
Things got worse when one of the officers hit a councillor‚ and the councillors threw bottled water at the security guards. Some members of the public had also sneaked into the chambers to add to the havoc.
By 6pm‚ the council meeting could not even deal with apologies on the agenda as arguments and point of orders became the order of the day.
The council meeting experienced problems long before its schedule starting time of 10am. A group of protesters tried to storm the building and broke glass doors. Security guards and Tshwane metro police were called to intervene.
When the meeting did get underway‚ the African National Congress (ANC) questioned the appointments of the chief of staff‚ secretary of council and chair of chairs.
The ANC argued that due process was not followed and if the people occupying these positions were allowed to remain in them‚ council would be endorsing illegal appointments.
This turned into a heated argument which forced speaker Rachel Mathebe to adjourn proceedings to allow for parties to try find common ground. After the adjournment‚ parties came back to report to council on what was expected to be the way forward.
The agreement they reached itself became a source of disagreement‚ and the leader of ANC in council‚ Mapiti Matsena‚ clashed with Democratic Alliance councillors over the supposed accord.
Mashatile‚ whose department oversees local government in Gauteng said he was not pleased with the behaviour of councillors.
“We call on the conscience of the public representatives who are abusing public trust and the confidence our people have in the institutions of government to exercise maximum restraint and to display maturity in managing differences‚” said Mashatile.
He is expected to visit Tshwane to deal with the behaviour which was displayed by councillors. – TMG Digital
Chaos in Tshwane council ‘betrays the trust of voters’‚ says Mashatile
Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Paul Mashatile has condemned the violence and chaos which took place in the Tshwane council meeting on Tuesday.
“The behaviour of councillors is both unacceptable and embarrassing. Such behaviour is not consistent with our stated commitment for tolerance and good governance‚” said Mashatile.
“The conduct that has been portrayed in the media is a serious indictment against those who were elected to carry the hopes of the voters who are now betraying that trust. This behaviour is an affront to the recent successful local government elections.”
Tuesday’s council meeting descended into chaos and violent confrontations which forced the speaker to call in metro cops and security personnel to restore order in chambers.
Things got worse when one of the officers hit a councillor‚ and the councillors threw bottled water at the security guards. Some members of the public had also sneaked into the chambers to add to the havoc.
By 6pm‚ the council meeting could not even deal with apologies on the agenda as arguments and point of orders became the order of the day.
The council meeting experienced problems long before its schedule starting time of 10am. A group of protesters tried to storm the building and broke glass doors. Security guards and Tshwane metro police were called to intervene.
When the meeting did get underway‚ the African National Congress (ANC) questioned the appointments of the chief of staff‚ secretary of council and chair of chairs.
The ANC argued that due process was not followed and if the people occupying these positions were allowed to remain in them‚ council would be endorsing illegal appointments.
This turned into a heated argument which forced speaker Rachel Mathebe to adjourn proceedings to allow for parties to try find common ground. After the adjournment‚ parties came back to report to council on what was expected to be the way forward.
The agreement they reached itself became a source of disagreement‚ and the leader of ANC in council‚ Mapiti Matsena‚ clashed with Democratic Alliance councillors over the supposed accord.
Mashatile‚ whose department oversees local government in Gauteng said he was not pleased with the behaviour of councillors.
“We call on the conscience of the public representatives who are abusing public trust and the confidence our people have in the institutions of government to exercise maximum restraint and to display maturity in managing differences‚” said Mashatile.
He is expected to visit Tshwane to deal with the behaviour which was displayed by councillors. – TMG Digital
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