DA councillors manhandled out of City of Tshwane council after posing ‘challenging questions’

Just a day after City of Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya presented her administration’s plans to navigate the city out of its financial turmoil, a crucial council meeting turned violent on Thursday, 31 October 2024, as two DA councillors, accused of causing chaos, were forcibly removed from the council chambers by private security – a move the Democratic Alliance (DA) says was an assault on democracy.  

At least six private security guards manhandled the DA’s Katlego Makgaleng and Kwena Moloto while removing them from the council chambers. Both resisted their removal. Makgaleng’s removal was particularly forceful as guards stripped him of his blazer and lifted his legs and hands. 

During the incident, some councillors clapped, shouted and heckled while others took it upon themselves to film the ordeal.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SFjRBv9wtGU

https://youtu.be/VUAnUalo9f4

Moya criticised the conduct of some DA councillors and suggested some had planned to be disruptive from the start of the meeting.  

“The meeting started constructively and all political parties were engaged. However, there was a determination on the part of the DA, and some of its leaders, to be disruptive from the beginning of the meeting. The disruptions from the DA caucus continued even when I was tabling reports. 

“The Speaker of Council warned the DA councillors about their disruptive behaviour, but the same councillors continued,” she told Daily Maverick. 

The DA, however, claims it was targeted because it raised strong points of debate. 

“Unable to win debates in council, this coalition turned to intimidation, weaponising municipal resources to suppress the opposition.

“When DA councillors raised challenging questions, they were met not with answers, but with Deputy Mayor [Eugene] Modise’s demands for their removal. The Speaker dutifully obliged. Bouncers were brought in to forcibly and illegally remove DA Councillors Moloto and Makgaleng,” said DA caucus leader and former mayor Cilliers Brink. 

Brink said the incident had been a part of a troubling trend.

“The Speaker has repeatedly failed to protect councillors from documented ANC and EFF assaults, and now actively targets his opponents.”

There were a number of disagreements that led to the bouncers being called in. The DA highlighted how it earlier tried and failed to have an ANC councillor removed for allegedly flouting the rules by failing to attend council meetings without filing apologies. 

While an ActionSA councillor was on the floor pointing to the DA’s “poor track record” in the previous administration, Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana was irked by the DA’s interruptions and instructed its councillor Ofentse Madzebatela to vacate the premises.

“Can you leave the house? I gave you plenty of warnings. Leave the house. Can you bring the security to remove him and all those who are not obeying my instructions?” Ndzwanana said.

Shortly afterwards, Makgaleng and Moloto were removed by the security. 

Brink indicated that the party would lay a criminal charge following Thursday’s events.

“The DA will open cases against the Speaker and those involved in this assault on democracy. We remain resolute in fighting for the people of Tshwane,” Brink said. 

‘Don’t disrupt proceedings’

A scene from a council meeting in Tshwane, which turned violent on Thursday, 31 October 2024, when two DA councillors, accused of disrupting proceedings, were forcefully removed from the council chambers by private security. (Screengrab: DA Gauteng / X)

DA caucus leader Cilliers Brink after he was officially removed from his position as the executive mayor of Tshwane on 26 September 2024. (Photo: Deaan Vivier / Beeld / Gallo Images)