The Nelson Mandela Bay council meeting was adjourned at midday on Thursday after opposition parties walked out, saying speaker Jonathan Lawack was inconsistent with how he applied the 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 against Trollip.
“We submitted a motion on May 10 and you, speaker, rejected it.
“You said it did not meet the requirements,” Vena said.
Lawack would first not allow discussions on the submitted motions.
“We deal with matters that are included in the agenda but for your sake and that of council I will explain,” Lawack said.
“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 yesterday’s meeting was May 9.
“I urge all councillors to note that the rules state that a motion must be submitted 10 clear business days before the council meeting,” he said.
Vena accepted the explanation but continued to say he had issues with the delivery of agendas.
Just as he was about to raise his concerns, Lawack said it was not up for debate.After a bit of shouting, with EFF councillor Lukhanyo Mrara demanding that the motion against Trollip be debated, the EFF walked out.
As the EFF was walking out, ANC chief whip Litho Suka told Lawack he was being inconsistent in how he applied the rules and asked him to allow the council to hear what Vena had to say.
Lawack refused, prompting ANC councillors to start humming and singing before walking out.
They were followed by other opposition parties – the United Front, UDM and AIC.
At this point, the DA-led coalition rammed through nine items on the agenda while the opposition councillors were shuffling out of the door.
The meeting then had to be adjourned as it did not reach a quorum.
Explaining why the ANC walked out, ANC caucus leader Bicks Ndoni said the meeting degenerated into chaos.
“We tried to put things together but what made us angry is the mayor came in bulldozing the speaker and said what our chief whip was asking was uncalled for.
“The person who is supposed to rule the council is the speaker and he cannot be dictated to by the mayor.”
UF councillor Mkhuseli Mtsila said the speaker was ruling by decree and he was forcing the rules down their throats.
AIC councillor Buyeye Thsonono said: “We’ve always felt that partisanship was there with Lawack and when councillors were raising issues, he clarified that using the rules.
“The very same rules compel him to give us agendas five days before council meetings.”
Patriotic Alliance councillor Marlon Daniels said he felt Lawack should have handled the matter with Vena in a different manner rather than muting his microphone, adding that he would take it up with him.