When opening his address during council meeting on Thursday August 29, Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mondli Gungubele reflected on the attack his office suffered on Monday afternoon, August 26.
Gungubele told fellow councillors, “People who claimed to be ex-combatants came to express their unhappiness with certain elements of the demilitarisation programme.”
At the time over 100 people invaded Ekurhuleni offices, Gungubele was in a meeting with Chief Whip, Robert Mashego and council speaker, Patricia Kumalo.
All perpetrators were arrested and appeared in court on Wednesday August 28, and their case was adjourned to September 4.
The Mayor told councillors, “Investigations are still underway though, and a full report will be presented in the next Council meeting.”
Gungubele appealed to councillors to join him in condemning the events of Monday August 26. Instead of dwelling on the negative, the Mayor told councillors and the people of Ekurhuleni, “We remain committed to the successful implementation of the Demilitarisation programme.
We remain committed to the successful implementation of the Demilitarisation programme.
“I must admit that I feel even more energised by the events of Monday to achieve this objective. We must see such incidents as a motivation for us to work even harder to better the lives of our people.”
However, Shadow MMC for Community Safety, Michele Clarke labelled the events as ‘absolutely shocking’.
Clarke questioned why Ekurhuleni had taken matters upon themselves when the demilitarisation programme should be driven by national government.
In trying to understand what happened, Clarke questioned, “Mr Mayor, how on earth did this happen? Hundreds of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers had surrounded the building and yet these people were able to access our offices. This is a true reflection of how badly our EMPD officers are managed and trained.”
Mr Mayor, how on earth did this happen? Hundreds of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers had surrounded the building and yet these people were able to access our offices. This is a true reflection of how badly our EMPD officers are managed and trained.
In response, Gungubele said the perpetrators managed to find their way through. He said no one can say that EMPD officers are incompetent.
The Mayor commended the police and Metro Police intervention for bringing the situation under control ‘after what seemed like eternity’.
