GMM councillors clash over by-law on business in townships

A disagreement between the speaker of the Govan Mbeki Municipality and an EFF councillor during the council meeting on February 6 exploded into a heated argument outside the council, resulting in both opening criminal cases against one another.

EFF chief whip Nthabeleng Ntahane opened an assault case at the Secunda Police Station against the speaker Fikile Magagamela. In turn, Magagamela filed a defamation case against Nthane.

A remark made by Magamela while councillors were debating a new township economic by-law seems to have been the spark that ignited the fire. Magagamela said some of the councillors are opposing the by-law because they own businesses in the township.

Commotion erupted over this remark before Magagamela called for a vote. EFF Councillor Daniel Khoza stated that his party would not allow the by-law to pass, arguing that it suppresses informal business traders in the township.

“If we allow the by-law to be adopted by the council, it means our mothers, who support their families by selling vegetables on street corners, will lose their income.

“It will also harm informal businesses operating in shacks, which many communities rely on for survival. If we pass this by-law, we are killing the township economy and allowing big retailers to take over,” said Khoza.

“We attended a workshop on this by-law and told officials which clauses had to be added to protect informal traders, but that did not happen,” he added.

Executive Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma appealed to the council to adopt the by-law, assuring them that amendments could be made after a month. He emphasised that passing the by-law was a directive from the national government.

However, the by-law was rejected when councillors from the EFF, Demoratic Alliance and the Freedom Front Plus pooled their votes to become the majority. They secured 27 votes, defeating the ANC’s 24 votes.

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Some key provisions in the draft township economy by-law include:
• The owner of the property must obtain consent from neighbours.

• All objections lodged or representations made shall be handled by the development tribunal.

• All existing township businesses operating without licences or permits must apply for them upon the by-law’s approval.

7 Tuck shop owners or employees may not sleep overnight at the business premises unless prior approval has been granted by the municipality.

7 Businesses may not purchase goods from establishments that do not comply with relevant regulatory requirements.
7 Businesses may not sell expired items.

Magagamela responded to Ridge Times that she has never and will never assault councillors, claiming that Ntahane swore at her after the council meeting.

“This is not the first time Ntahane has swore at me. Even after their motion to remove me failed, she swore at me. I know she wanted to be the municipal speaker, but unfortunately, it did not happen,” Magagamela said.

“As the speaker, I want to propose that we implement breathalyzer alcohol tests before every council meeting. Some councillors come to meetings under the influence of alcohol and then misbehave.”