The sitting was ultimately adjourned before the motion of no confidence headed to debate.

It was clear that the ANC believed that the party’s challenges on technical grounds would be successful, because the party did not feature a single speaker on the debate list.

The EFF has appealed against the decision accusing Speaker Mpye of being biased against opposition parties in council.

According to EFF caucus leader Zandile Ngubeni the EFF has noted the “failure, neglect and ignorance” in regards to calling a special council, for the determination of the no confidence motion “for reasons only known by the speaker”.

The EFF now demands another sitting and has given Speaker Mpye seven days from the lodging of the appeal yesterday, to furnish councillors with an independent legal opinion in regards to the interpretation, and consequent ruling, on standing rules and orders which Speaker Mpye forwarded as reason for cancelling last Friday’s sitting.

The red berets also want a Speaker’s statement in regards to the office’s interpretation and understanding of the rules and orders.

The party also wants a detailed explanation in the role Speaker Mpye played ahead of the special council, which was convened by Municipal Manager Mandla Mnguni.

The party argues that it was unnecessary for council to be convened to debate the motion, when Speaker Mpye was fully aware that he was not chairing the meeting, when rules and orders clearly stipulate that he alone can convene a special council.

“We demand open, accountable, corrupt free governance without fear or victimization,” councillor Ngubeni says.