ANC accuses Msimanga of cadre deployment

At the heart of the debate were the appointments of councillor Gert Pretorius as a "chair of chairs", Marietha Aucamp as chief of staff, and Tiyiselani Babane as strategic executive in the office of the speaker.

"He has been paid as a chair of chairs, which is corruption," ANC councillor Mapiti Matsena said.

"You can't pay him as a chair of chairs when he is not a chairperson of any committee."

Matsena asked for clarity regarding Aucamp’s appointment and accused Msimanga of cadre deployment.

"When was the position advertised? That is corruption. He was a councillor last month," he said.

The squabble escalated and ANC councillors wanted to physically remove Aucamp and Babane from the council chambers.

The speaker adjourned the meeting for a short while to regain control of the sitting. ANC members sang and danced.

Msimanga explained that he had appointed Aucamp because the chief of staff was going on maternity leave in four days time.

"It's quite sad, because those are the same rules that were applied when councillor Mathafa was appointed chair of chairs. There is a provision that says if there is an emergency you can appoint someone," he said.

Msimanga said the rules allowed him to appoint someone on a temporary basis while looking for a permanent chief of staff, which had happened in Aucamp’s case.

His response did not sit well with ANC members, who heckled him and started singing. The speaker ordered them to leave the chamber, but they refused.

The meeting stopped while they waited for the ANC caucus to leave.

"We are not leaving. You can call the defence force, maybe they can rescue you," one ANC member shouted.

News24