Opposition parties have expressed their concern and disgust after total chaos broke out during the latest Madibeng municipal council meeting.

Chaos broke out in the Madibeng Council meeting.

The item for discussion on the agenda was about the recent dispute about the appointment of the Municipal Manager. “Madibeng Mayor Douglas Maimane decided to withdraw the item and all hell broke loose,” said DA councillor Erna Rossouw. “The Speaker could not control the council, and the Chief Whip, supposedly responsible for order in the council chambers, was out of control, shouting and demanding the report must be discussed. These kinds of council meetings are a disgrace.”
The item that was supposed to be discussed was Mayor Douglas Maimane’s report on the MEC’s recent accusations that Madibeng did not respond to the department’s letter wherein they declined concurrence with the appointment of the Municipal Manager. Maimane responded strongly, denying that they received any response after informing the department of the appointment.
VF Plus councillor Gullaume Clouston expressed his concern, saying that Madibeng council is unravelling at speed. “This is very worrying. The council is disintegrating. It seems as if there is a division in the ANC ranks. If this behaviour continues, big trouble lies ahead,” Clouston said. “Why now, 10 months later, do they try and find something to get rid of the Municipal Manager?”
Rossouw said it was strange that the MEC of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) had now addressed the municipal manager appointment issue. “After almost a year, and a visit from him three months ago, the MEC has now announced that the department is not in agreement with the appointment. The Municipal Manager has the necessary qualifications and experience and was appointed by the council.”
In terms of the law, the municipal council remains the sole appointing authority for the position of municipal manager.
“The question now is: How many fingers are in Madibeng’s financial pie?” Rossouw asked.