Fists fly at Mopani SODA
Fists were flying between EFF members and security guards at the Mopani District Municipality State of the District Address (Soda) at Giyani Community Hall on Wednesday, 29 May.
LIMPOPO – This ruckus was caused when the Speaker of the council, Wireless Sedibeng, called for security to remove EFF councillor, Raymond Chauke, who was insulting and swearing at other councillors inside the council. At first the Speaker tried to get Chauke to withdraw his statements but he refused which prompted Sedibeng to call security.
While the security guards tried to remove Chauke, other EFF members joined the fight in defence of their fellow councillor, using helmets and chairs to fight the security guards. They were eventually successfully removed and DA councillors also walked out of the address in solidarity of the EFF.
Sedibeng was forced to call for a break so the council could refresh before resuming the business of the day.
He said council will not tolerate the arrogant behavior of councillors insulting one another rather than debating issues in a proper manner.
Mopani Mayor, Nkakareng Rakgaole, before tabling her budget speech told the Speaker to organise a workshop were councillors will be taught the rules and policies of council.
In her budget speech, Rakgoale called for the community to work together with the municipality in order to ensure there is service delivery in the communities.
The EFF councillors in the Mopani district have opened a case of assault against the security company but no arrests have been made as yet.
Water
Rakgoale urged residents to refrain from making illegal water connections because they damage the water infrastructure, causing water shortages in the district. The 2018/19 budget for water within the municipality is R96,824 million.
Education
The mayor said R2,7 million has been set aside for the Executive Mayor Bursary to assist good performing students from disadvantaged families with their studies. An amount of R2,7 million has been set aside for the Excellency Awards to give to the good performing circuits, school principals, teachers and learners.
“As the Mopani District we pride ourselves on education and achieving good matric results which is why it is our priority as a district to ensure every child gets an education,” Rakgoale said.
Mayor’s soccer and netball tournaments
Rakgoale said R1 million has been set aside for the Xitsonga Music Awards and R1,2 million for the Mayor’s soccer and netball tournaments.
The remainder of the R1,752 billion budget for the 2018/19 financial year will be allocated for water, electricity, tar roads, parks and other issues of service delivery.
