Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Wolfgang Wallhorn and in Setswana by Cllr Stephens Kutumela
The DA in North West condemns in the strongest terms the rowdy behaviour of the Speaker of Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Gugulethu Mtshali, during Monday’s Council sitting, which amongst other items had to establish a committee to look into allegations of kickbacks made to her, the functionality of recordings on a Council sitting she presided over on 31 September, and if she is fit for the position of Speaker.
Following the Council’s decision to nominate an acting chairperson on the item, the Speaker moved around the chamber, threatening, harassing, and physically pushing members, including Cllr Maria Matshaba, who was nominated as acting chairperson for the day.
This rowdy behaviour is what the Council sittings of Moses Kotane Local Municipality (MKLM) have been reduced to at each sitting.
The Speaker is a law unto herself and has been bullying everyone, including the mayor of the municipality, Cllr Nketu Nkotswe, since 2021. She is also known for intimidating fellow councillors and maintains that she wields outside the protection from provincial ANC structures.
The DA will support the committee, as we will not sit back while those in high positions flout laws and procedures. We have already, through the DA Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), CJ Steyl MPL, reported the incidents that took place in council to the MEC of COGHSTA, Saliva Molapisi, to also conduct further investigation into the matter.
We also welcome a decision by council to establish a committee to investigate the actions of the Speaker with regards to the Code of Conduct of Councillors.
The DA believes in the rule of law and believes that MKLM deserves a presiding officer who will respect the decorum and oath of office that she took.