The City of Ekurhuleni held their monthly council meeting at the OR Tambo Government Precinct in Germiston on Thursday, and it was packed with action and acrimony.
It was quite a session, filled with heated discussions, service delivery concerns, and even a protest outside that temporarily halted proceedings.
During the meeting, one of the hot topics was the City's struggle with service delivery.
Councillors and political party members did not hold back their frustrations, especially about the lack of accountability from the MMCs.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Heather Hart from Benoni was particularly vocal, highlighting how MMCs never show up to their meetings in Benoni, despite attending others.
She urged Speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga to address this burning issue.
"Madam Speaker, can you please preach accountability to the MMCs because none of them show up to our meetings in Benoni, but they do attend in other regions. That is not fair," she said.
This comment really hit home, shedding light on the regional biases and the frustration it causes when councillors don’t do their civil duty.
The new MMC of Finance, Ald Jongizizwe Dlabathi, was also put under the spotlight.
He has a tough job ahead, balancing the City's finances while ensuring the residents' needs are met.
Dlabathi talked about the importance of everyone paying their dues to keep the City's services running smoothly. He pointed out that many people claim they can't afford to pay for services, yet almost everyone has DSTV.
He also mentioned plans to reward those who consistently pay their bills, hoping to encourage a culture of financial responsibility.
The meeting was interrupted by a protest from municipal workers, including cleaners and security personnel, demanding insourcing.
They were loud and determined, making sure their voices were heard.
The disruption lasted about 15 minutes, forcing Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza to address the protesters directly.
It was a tense moment, but it underscored the real, pressing issues faced by the city's workforce.
Amid all this, there was also the matter of appointing a new Council Whip.
The ANC's move to appoint Councillor Phelisa Nkunjena as the acting Whip for the meeting was seen as a strategic play to maintain control over the council proceedings.
The permanent Chief Whip will be appointed at the next council meeting in August.
Despite the interruptions and heated debates, the council said it remains focused on tackling the big issues - improving service delivery, reducing unemployment, and enhancing education of its residents.
This meeting was a clear reminder of the challenges Ekurhuleni faces and the enormous efforts that will be needed to address them.
IOL