Update

GEORGE NEWS - For the past two hours, the second floor of George Municipality was occupied by a group of opposition councillors, waiting in the wings of a locked Council Chamber, deliberating their next move. 

A Council Meeting which was due to start at 10:00 this morning had been postponed “until further notice”. Two motions of no confidence, submitted by the ANC, formed part of the agenda.

Safety issues seem to be the reason for the postponement.

Municipal Spokesperson, Chantel Edwards-Klose said numerous breaches of security took place in recent months; as recently as last week and again this week - in particular on the second floor of the administration block where the Council Chambers are located. 

“It cannot be allowed that the Council Chambers and the second floor become the platform for disruption and conflict,” she said. 

“These incidents are still being investigated. Ongoing discussions regarding second floor security and safety will hopefully culminate in measures to improve the same in the near future.”

Opposition councillors claim they received no reason this morning (via WhatsApp) for the postponement of the meeting, but only later learned that “safety issues” were at play.

ANC Chief Whip, Nomawethu Jantjies-Gushman said she received a WhatsApp message from the Speaker Gerrit Pretorius shortly before 06:00 this morning, to inform her that the meeting was postponed. “He gave no reason for this decision; legally this is unacceptable.”

An item on the adjustment budget was also scheduled for today’s meeting. According to Jantjies-Gushman Council’s deadline to pass this item is tomorrow, 28 February.

PBI Councillor Virgill Gericke said all the opposition parties – excluding the ACDP and Freedom Front Plus – have constantly been in discussions this morning while biding their time at George Municipality. 

“We are now going to meet with Acting Municipal Manager Siphiwo James. We’ve just handed the Speaker a letter, insisting that the meeting take place at 12:00. We will take this matter further.”

Edwards-Klose said legislation stipulates that the Speaker of Council decides when and where council meetings take place. “It further determines that at least one council meeting per quarter must be held,” she said.