Note to Editors: Please find an English soundbite by Cllr Lucky Dinake here
In November 2023, Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) councillors, aided and abetted by EFF Speaker of Council, Cllr. Nthabiseng Tshivhenga and Chair of Chairs, EFF Councillor, Julius Mdluli, violently attacked Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillors in the council chambers bringing the important business of the day to a halt.
This incident was reported by the DA to the Ethics Committee who, after meticulously examining the evidence presented to them, found those involved in the chaos guilty of violating the Councillors Code of Conduct and have made the following rulings:
- Council issues the Speaker of Council, Cllr. Nthabiseng Tshivhenga, a warning and requires her to read out an apology to Council;
- Councillors, PL Rachidi and TK Mashianoke be issued a warning by Council;
- Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), suspend Councillor JM Mdluli for one month without pay;
- Gauteng MEC for COGTA suspends Councillors: PI Chiloane, ALN Mabaso; DG Mashiane, L Skosana, and GC Taliwe for a period of one month without pay.
Footage of the November 2023 attack can be found here, here and here
The sanctioning of EFF councillors in the City of Ekurhuleni by the Ethics Committee is a step in the right direction in safeguarding our democracy and ensuring that council does not become the plaything of fascists.
Beyond that, there rests a moral and legal imperative on council, to protect its elected public representatives. Following this brazen attack, several DA councillors required both medical attention and counselling services. It does help to know that attacks in council will have consequences.
Local government is the coalface of democracy and council is the arm of government by which decisions that have significant impact on the lives of residents are made.
It is here where the voices of our people are given expression.
Violent suppression of Councillors is tantamount to the violent suppression of our people.
Jack boot fascism has no place in Ekurhuleni.
The DA welcomes the findings and recommendations of the Ethics Committee and hopes that the EFF learns that chaos and violence have no place in our democratic dispensation.