Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
4 March 2024 | 14:00 CAT
2 min read

In Ekurhuleni, the political landscape is ablaze with tension as clashes between the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) erupted during an ordinary council meeting, leaving the future of the metropolitan in uncertainty.

The turmoil reached a boiling point during a council session where a motion of no confidence against Mayor Ngodwana, brought forth by ActionSA, triggered a violent confrontation between EFF and ANC members.

Videos and photos of the council chambers’ chaos have been circulating on social media. Notably, a viral image shows an EFF councillor adorned in party regalia allegedly seizing Mayor Ngodwana’s phone. The case of the mayor’s missing phone has yet to be solved.

The proceedings took a turn before the motion for dissolution could be debated.It was reported that an amendment was being discussed when the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) requested a 30-minute caucus break; however, despite this request, EFF members remained in the chambers. Shortly thereafter, the meeting descended into mayhem, with EFF councillors heckling, hurling bottles of water, and engaging in fistfights, predominantly with members of the African National Congress (ANC).

ActionSA Ekurhuleni spokesperson Andrew Harris sheds light on the situation in an interview with Radio Islam International.

“We have seen how service delivery has gone backwards over the past year, and what’s more concerning is to see how the city’s finances have teetered towards the brink of collapse. But the final straw was that the Ekurhuleni finance MMC Nkululeko Dunga, was unable to present the AG report to us. They have been putting off handing over this report of the city’s finances to the council since February,” he said.

Harris emphasised that the ANC needs to take responsibility for its hand in what happened in Ekurhuleni.

Action SA condemns the actions of the EFF as well as the EFF speaker who did not control her caucus. Harris asserted that the EFF’s behaviour was despicable.

“We, as councillors, signed a petition this morning and presented it to the speaker, and that obligates her via the structures act to reconvene councils, so the EFF, after all their shenanigans, have bought themselves may be less than seven days,” he said.

Harris stated that the next sitting is likely to occur later this week. He expressed doubt about the Mayor’s chances of survival.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and ActionSA Ekurhuleni spokesperson Andrew Harris, here.