Video Captures Dramatic Brawl: Chaos Erupts at eThekwini Council Meeting as Gatvol EFF Members Fist Fight with Councillors
In a shocking turn of events, the eThekwini Council meeting on Tuesday spiralled into chaos as members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) engaged in a physical altercation with fellow councillors and security personnel.
A widely circulated video on social media platforms captures security personnel exchanging blows with EFF councillors. The meeting, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex in Durban, was marred by disruptions caused by EFF councillors.
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Disruptive Behavior Captured on Video: EFF Members Hurl Insults and Disrupt Proceedings
Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Welekazi Sibiya took to social media to express her dismay at the disruptive behaviour of the EFF members. She shared a video showing EFF councillors singing, shouting, and hurling insults at the Speaker of Council. This disturbance severely impacted the proceedings, with the council managing to address only one agenda item after seven hours.
Faced with no alternative, the Speaker of Council called in security personnel to remove the disruptive EFF councillors from the chamber. In response, the situation escalated further as EFF members resorted to physical confrontation, as seen in a video circulating online. You can watch the video below:
WATCH: The full council of the eThekwini municipality at the Durban ICC a short while ago descended into a fist fight. While it is not clear what caused the fight, a man in black was seen exchanging blows with EFF councillors. pic.twitter.com/k5BETAecgL
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) October 31, 2023
Exclusive Insights: EFF Councillor Explains Fist Fight During eThekwini Council Meeting
Providing context to the incident, EFF councillor and eThekwini Municipality MMC for Human Settlements & Infrastructure, Themba Mvubu, shed light on the events leading up to the altercation. According to Mvubu, the EFF had demanded the removal of Musa Mbhele, the eThekwini City Manager, from the meeting. Mbhele, responsible for the city’s finances, faced criticism for the National Treasury’s rejection of the city’s request for a R1.2 billion grant rollover. These funds were intended for capital projects in the 2022/23 financial year. The rejection came due to Mbhele’s failure to complete and submit the required documentation accurately.
Mvubu clarified the EFF’s stance, stating that they could not allow the City Manager to preside over the meeting while the city suffered a substantial loss of R1.2 billion from the national treasury. This loss occurred due to the city’s inability to spend the allocated funds.
Mvubu elaborated on the situation, saying,
“The EFF caucus stood firm to say we can’t allow the City manager to preside over while the city has lost 1,2 billion from the national treasury due to failure to spend the money. The speaker unleashed police on us.”
