UPDATE: Unpaid Service providers disrupt continuation of council meeting
Service providers grew frustrated and one stated that the council is playing hide and go seek with them
Loud screams and shouts were heard coming from the hall ways at the Multipurpose Centre today in Wembezi.
Part two of the council meeting that started last Thursday was set to take place today; little did anyone know that it would not be allowed to begin until unsettled matters from 2016 were given urgent attention.
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Off to a chaotic start, the gallery was packed with disgruntled service providers demanding their money for catering done for 500 people on October 8, 2016.
The Speaker, Sifiso Alfred Mdakane made an attempt at starting the meeting off with a moment of silence, which was interrupted when service providers said they are reciting ‘rotten prayers’.
After councillors and the service providers, trying to shout above one another, various councillors had the opportunity to speak.
All echoed one another, questioning how is it that service providers have not been paid since October 2016 when the budget was agreed and even adjusted to cover all costs. The gathering grew heated when vulgar words were being passed between councillors.
Council then heard grievances from the service providers and made points of order and clarity as well as suggestions. The speaker thereafter asked that members from the gallery excuse them for 10 minutes to reach a resolution.
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After longer than 10 minutes, the meeting was reconvened. Before hearing the proposed resolutions, another heated argument broke out.
Councillors and municipal management walked out of the meeting when service providers demanded their money immediately.
They returned to the meeting, saying that there will be a Special Council Meeting to deal with concerns from unpaid service providers. Councillors who were against this decision, insisted that the service providers be paid immediately, as this has been budgeted for.
Service providers grew frustrated and one stated that the council is playing ‘hide and seek’ with them, especially since their concerns date back to more than a year.
After more bickering, councillors began to collect their belongings and walked out, without any resolution finally being agreed upon.
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