WHAT was supposed to be a regular council meeting ended in a fist fight.
The City of Tshwane council members met on Thursday morning, 31 August at the Tshwane House for a meeting. But it all ended in a battle between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) council members.
As the proceedings got under way, EFF Tshwane leader Obakeng Ramabodu stood up to address the council at the podium regarding the ongoing labour strike by the employees of the city.
Ramabodu said they were here to make a promise to the workers of the city that there was no sitting that would continue until the 130 plus workers were reinstated by "this guy", pointing at Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink.
He said they were not doing this because they were being disrespectful but because they have noticed that there was a cartel that swallowed the city manager who came to Tshwane as a person who was neutral but now takes orders from the people who do not care about the workers' rights.
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Ramabodu said they stood in solidarity with the suspended workers and those facing suspension in the City of Tshwane.
“Our commitment to workers remains unwavering. No council will continue until we resolve their issues,” he said.
As he was speaking, one of the DA councillors interjected by raising a point of order, which was not taken well by the EFF members.
It started with shouting and was followed by insults until it got physical.
After the chaos, Brink said they would stand their ground and won’t be intimidated by the EFF members.
“We stood our ground and refused to leave this place. They can come with their violence but won’t move us because we have been democratically elected to be here. We won’t be driven out of this council,” said Brink.
