DA silence sinks meeting

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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - The absence of a mayoral address caused a huge upset amongst opposition councillors in the George Council yesterday. It was the first council meeting following the clamp down of the Hawks on George Municipality on 23 April.

George Speaker, Gerrit Pretorius, adjourned yesterday's meeting an hour and a half after it started, following a series of disruptions from opposition parties. The atmosphere was jolly with lots of singing and dancing from the ANC councillors.

Charlie Williams and Langa Langa of the ANC vouched that council will be disrupted should the DA act in an "arrogant manner" and ignore the opposition's request for direction, which is exactly what they did when it became clear no mention of any developments will be coming from the ruling party.

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Since Mayor Melvin Naik is on leave until 25 May, he could not deliver his usual address to council on the issues of the day. Naik took leave shortly after it came to the fore that he is one of the individuals under investigation by the police. The opposition expected Charlotte Clarke, acting mayor, to put everyone in the loop with the current situation, especially since DA Regional Chairman, Jaco Londt confirmed last week that the mayor's suspension has been requested from the DA's Federal Executive Committee (Fedex).

A late item on the possible suspension of the Municipal Manager, Trevor Botha, was withdrawn. Photos: Michelle Pienaar

No response has been received from Fedex by the time of going to press on this matter. George Speaker, Gerrit Pretorius, said in council that the mayor has not been suspended "to our knowledge". He referred media inquiries on Naik's possible suspension back to the DA.

The office of the Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, referred all inquiries on the Municipal Manager, Trevor Botha and Naik's positions, to George Municipality and the Hawks. According to information both individuals have been implicated in the Hawk's raid.

Nowhere closer to the truth
Opposition made the most of it all, each giving a piece of their mind, while the DA remained dead silent. Well into the meeting Pretorius attempted to report back, saying he handed Naik a letter in which Naik is requested to respond to "the allegations". It is unclear whether the allegations has been stipulated in the letter. Pretorius said Naik had until 18 March to respond.

SAC Councillor Bazil Petrus said the absence of a mayoral address is totally unacceptable. "The public needs to know what is going on," he said. PBI Councillor Virgill Gericke said it cannot be "business as usual".

Eden Icosa Councillor Theresa Fortuin (front) in the gallery with Niel Dikwe Carelse, Enrico Stalmeester and Sylvester !Xame Craford.

"Somebody needs to give direction," he said. Laetitia Arries of the EFF expressed her displeasure in the fact that the acting mayor, Charlotte Clarke, wasn't granted an opportunity to talk in council. Wilbur Harris of Icosa said it is unethical that council isn't informing the public on the situation.

FF Plus Councillor Gert van Niekerk said they have to read about the latest developments in the newspapers. "To keep this away from councillors is a slap in the face," he said. ACDP Councillor Johan du Toit said councillors are being disregarded by not being notified.

"The DA caucus knows exactly what is going on," he said.

Briefing the media after the council meeting was adjourned, the PBI, ANC, FF Plus, Icosa, and ACDP said the fact that Pretorius has not called an investigation into the allegations against Naik and Botha can land him in hot water.

• Some of the items that were on yesterday's agenda include reports on the recruitment and selection for the appointment of directors in the departments of Electrotechnical and Corporate Services as well as Planning and Development. A late item on the possible suspension of the Municipal Manager, Trevor Botha, was withdrawn.

Watch a video below.