The new councillor for Ward 14, Mr Jabu Zwane, is facing disciplinary action from the African National Congress in Gert Sibande District.
According to a notice served on Mr Zwane, he is being charged for alleged misconduct that happened on November 22, the day on which the new councillors were sworn in at Lillian Ngoyi Centre.
Mr Zwane is accused of neglecting or failing to attend the ANC caucus.
He also allegedly for the caucus.
He is also charged for informing the ANC-deployees that he did not support the collective caucus’ decision on candidates to nominate for positions in the council, nor did he participate in the election of those candidates.
The notice says as a result of Mr Zwane conduct or omission, the nominated candidates of the ANC did not receive the expected votes.
It is alleged that Cllr Zwane showed other councillors or comrades a picture of his marked ballot paper which represented something contrary to the ANC decision.
Mr Zwane told Ridge Times he is being charged because he is vocal about the Section 106 forensic report.
He is surprised that the person who will preside on his alleged charges is implicated in the same Section 106 forensic investigation report.
Cllr Zwane is questioning the stand of the ANC following the nomination of the council’s chief whip, Mr Joseph Mtsweni.
He wonders who voted with the opposition parties because he left the council meeting while it was still in progress and before the nomination took place.
Voting was conducted by secret ballot and a total of 42 votes were cast with 19 councillors who abstained and three who were absent.
Mr Mtsweni received 24 votes out of 25 ANC councillors who were present during the nomination, excluding him because he left the meeting.
The EFF votes stood at 17.
“If you check the council standing, the ANC had 26 councillors present before I left, then they were 25 when they were voting for the position of chief whip.
“He obtained 24 votes while EFF stood at 17 and DA and FF+ abstained.”
Mr Zwane said both the speaker and the executive mayor each received 25 votes while he was still present.
“But when I left, the chief whip received 24 votes.
“The EFF councillors were 13 and in each voting period, they were supported by the IFP with one seat and the ARP with two seats.
“This means they were supposed to receive 16 votes, but they consistently secured 17 votes,” explained Mr Zwane.
The ANC leadership in the Gert Sibande Region refuted Cllr Zwane’s claims.
They said all their candidates received equal votes during their nominations which are 25 each.
ANC regional secretary, Ms Lindi Masina, said Cllr Zwane became rude and was shouting at everyone in their caucus before the council meeting took place.
“Cllr Zwane wanted to instruct the ANC on who must or must not be deployed. When we joined the organisation, we joined it voluntarily not expecting any positions.”
Ms Masina said Cllr Zwane was against the decision to deploy Mr Mtsweni to contest the council chief whip position.
She said Cllr Zwane must go to the disciplinary committee and present his case.
Ridge Times is in possession of the disciplinary notice that was served on Mr Zwane.
He is expected before the disciplinary committee on December 14.
