Opposition parties walk out of council meeting
Verbal spat unfolds between speaker and EFF councillor
The Nelson Mandela Bay council was adjourned midday on Thursday after opposition parties walked out of the meeting, saying speaker Jonathan Lawack was inconsistent with how he applied the council rules.
The drama unfolded after a verbal spat between Lawack and EFF councillor Zilindile Vena.
It stemmed from the EFF’s third attempt to table a motion of no confidence in mayor Athol Trollip that was rejected by Lawack.
Vena said Lawack should have explained why he rejected the no-confidence motion againstTrollip.
He claimed Lawack should have explained his reasons before discussing the council proceedings for the day.
"We submitted a motion on May 10 and you speaker rejected it."
"You said it did not meet the requirements," Vena said.
Lawack said he would not allow discussions on motions.
"We deal with matters that are included in the agenda but for your sake and that of council I will explain.
"I received the motions on May 10 - a motion pertaining to a motion of no confidence in the mayor which was moved by councillor Vena and seconded by Councillor Yako at 12:05pm," Lawack said.
Lawack said the cut off date for the motions for Thursday’s meeting was May 9.
"I urge all councillors to note that the rules state that a motion must be submitted ten clear business days before the council meeting," Lawack said.
In his explanation, Lawack said the motion along with other motions to remove Lawack, chief whip Werner Senekal and the election of a deputy mayor were all rejected because they should have been submitted on May 9 rather than May 10.
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Vena accepted the explanation but continued to say he had issues with the delivery of agendas.
Just as he was about to debate the matter Lawack was not having it and said it was not up for debate.
But Vena said the incorrect manner in which Lawack applied council rules sparked the debate.
After some shouting with EFF councillor Lukhanyo Mrara demanding that the motion against Trollip be debated today, the EFF walked out.
They were followed by other opposition parties.
It was at this point that the DA-led coalition rammed through half of the items in the agenda.
The meeting was adjourned when it failed to reach a quorum.
Lawack said items that could not be passed would be discussed atWednesday's special meeting. At that same meeting the council is expected to pass the Integrated Development Plan and the Budget for the 2018-19 financial year.