A meeting meant to resolve to rescind the decision to reject Bhisho’s intervention at Enoch Mgijima municipality could not go ahead on Tuesday, partly because municipal manager Chris Magwangqana refused to read the notice of convening the meeting.
The council meeting was also expected to discuss suspending the accounting officer for allegedly misleading councillors.
The notice was signed by council speaker Mzoxolo Peter on Monday, calling for the meeting on Tuesday.
But opposition parties quickly pointed out that the meeting would be unlawful as it did not meet the required 48 hours to pass before a council meeting can sit after a signed notice had been issued by the municipality manager.
EFF councillor Luthando Amos demanded that the meeting be adjourned.
“If this continues and the matter goes to court, speaker, you will personally [be] liable for the legal costs.
“Let’s adjourn this meeting and reconvene it on Thursday when the meeting is properly constituted,” he said.
In trying to respond to why Magwangqana did not sign the notice, Peter said the accounting officer was not part of the meeting that took the decision, hence he did not sign the agenda.
After a five-minute recess, Peter wanted councillors to vote on whether to go ahead with the meeting or not.
However, this was shot down by opposition parties, who pointed out its illegality.
All nine DA councillors then walked out of the council meeting.
ANC councillor Nkululeko Ngcefe claimed that Magwangqana had not signed the notice because he was due to be discussed.
But Magwangqana said: “I appeal for the council to be postponed until Thursday.”
Councillors were expected to rescind their decision objecting to co-operative governance & traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa’s decision placing the beleaguered municipality under administration.
However, Magwangqana announced that he had instructed lawyers to challenge the appointment of the administrator in court.
The matter will be heard in the Grahamstown High Court on Thursday...