Rates: Mayor challenged in council

The electricity bill issue reared its head at a local council meeting last Thursday.

With an amendment to the Subsistence and Travelling Policy (S&T) tabled, Democratic Alliance members challenged Mayor, Afzul Rehman to lessen the burden on the ratepayer.

DA councillor, Sunny Chetty exclaimed the party would not support the revised policy.

“We feel the ratepayer is being burdened and as guardians of democracy, we object to any changes.”

In return, Cllr Rehman asked why the matter of the S&T Policy had not been contested in meetings of the Executive Committee, insisting DA councillors pay back their salaries.

“As Mayor, I do not claim S&Ts and I drive an official vehicle – I am offended by the DA’s claims.”

Explaining the current allowance for S&Ts did not provide councillors an adequate amount when away on Municipal business, Cllr Rehman challenged the DA to avoid any travel in future, as well as claiming for S&Ts.

Responding, Cllr Chetty rubbished the response and rebuked ‘insults against the DA’.

The matter threatened to get out of hand, and was not helped by council chief whip, Mqapheleni Ngcobo stating it was unacceptable the Mayor be attacked by Cllr Chetty.

He called on speaker, Mandla Zikhali to maintain order in the house.

“We advise the speaker to have Cllr Chetty removed by security. If he fails to apologise and withdraw his statement, he must be removed,” he remarked in Zulu.

Speaker Zikhali agreed, and called on Cllr Chetty to withdraw his comments.

Refusing to apologise for his words, Cllr Chetty however withdrew the remarks, with a warning he would not tolerate further slander against the DA.

The item concluded with councillors having to submit a report, each time S&Ts are claimed for.

In the meantime, Cllr Rehman has expressed his frustration at ‘pot-stirrers’ within the community, in particular those he believes are pushing residents to take potshots at his integrity.