The new Eastern Cape head of the national municipal guild has made a call for unity in Eastern Cape local governments.
Mxolisi Koyo, who is the council speaker in the Chris Hani district municipality, was elected provincial executive chairman without opposition at the two-day South African Local Government Association (Salga) conference that ended yesterday in East London.
His call for unity was in response to violent incidents that broke out during council meetings in both Buffalo City Metro and Nelson Mandela Bay last week.
Koyo took over the reins from OR Tambo executive mayor Nomakhosazana Meth, who has served on the committee for the past five years.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday Koyo said for the next five years the new committee would assist in building better municipalities by entrenching professionalism and deepening democracy while working closely with communities.
“We will be working towards servicing the public as municipalities are responsible for delivering basic services,” said Koyo. “We want to fight against the infighting and account for public funds.”
Last week the Dispatch reported on violent scenes that erupted in the BCM council chambers when EFF councillors clashed with city law enforcement officers.
This was after an order to remove them as their red overalls contravened the council dress code.
In Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, a mayoral committee member and a councillor were injured during a violent clash. A security guard reportedly fired a shot to try and end the fight that broke out during a council meeting on Thursday.
The tussle was between DA and ANC councillors and two councillors were taken to hospital for treatment.
The new provincial Salga head said the committee would deal with incidents of violence and encourage councils to resolve matters in a conducive manner.
BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati was elected as Koyo’s first deputy, followed by Nonkqubela Peters and Bulelwa Mabhengu. Six additional members were also elected.
Meth was elected to represent the province in the association’s national executive leadership.
In an effort to improve the poor representation of women in councils, BCM councillor Sindiswa Gomba was elected to represent the province in Salga’s national women’s commission, which aims for 50/50 representation of male and female councillors in municipalities.
Salga chief executive Xolile George said municipalities were failing to ensure that women were equally represented. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Salga call to end council violence
Mxolisi Koyo, who is the council speaker in the Chris Hani district municipality, was elected provincial executive chairman without opposition at the two-day South African Local Government Association (Salga) conference that ended yesterday in East London.
His call for unity was in response to violent incidents that broke out during council meetings in both Buffalo City Metro and Nelson Mandela Bay last week.
Koyo took over the reins from OR Tambo executive mayor Nomakhosazana Meth, who has served on the committee for the past five years.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday Koyo said for the next five years the new committee would assist in building better municipalities by entrenching professionalism and deepening democracy while working closely with communities.
“We will be working towards servicing the public as municipalities are responsible for delivering basic services,” said Koyo. “We want to fight against the infighting and account for public funds.”
Last week the Dispatch reported on violent scenes that erupted in the BCM council chambers when EFF councillors clashed with city law enforcement officers.
This was after an order to remove them as their red overalls contravened the council dress code.
In Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, a mayoral committee member and a councillor were injured during a violent clash. A security guard reportedly fired a shot to try and end the fight that broke out during a council meeting on Thursday.
The tussle was between DA and ANC councillors and two councillors were taken to hospital for treatment.
The new provincial Salga head said the committee would deal with incidents of violence and encourage councils to resolve matters in a conducive manner.
BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati was elected as Koyo’s first deputy, followed by Nonkqubela Peters and Bulelwa Mabhengu. Six additional members were also elected.
Meth was elected to represent the province in the association’s national executive leadership.
In an effort to improve the poor representation of women in councils, BCM councillor Sindiswa Gomba was elected to represent the province in Salga’s national women’s commission, which aims for 50/50 representation of male and female councillors in municipalities.
Salga chief executive Xolile George said municipalities were failing to ensure that women were equally represented. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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