Unruly behaviour of councillors and the issue of Venda being used as official communication language in Makhado municipal meetings caused a DA Councillor to walk out.
In a strongly worded press release, Cllr Brian du Plooy, Chief Whip of the DA, objected against the unruly "shouting and screaming in Chambers" during the draft Integrated Development Plan meeting on Friday, May 11.
"ANC Councillors are not showing any respect towards the chair or the mayor. It is time that these representatives ... adhere to rules, regulations and ethics within Council. They have been elected by the communities but are not representing them as professionals," reads the statement.
Mr Du Plooy said on Tuesday that a certain councillor again screamed at another councillor before the onset of the IDP meeting on Sunday, May 13, "until he told her to Suka."
The municipal spokesperson, Mr Peter Magwala, replied to the allegation of unruly behaviour that it was incorrect.
"It was not shouting or screaming, it is their own character. Some have high/loud voices and others low and some may interpret it as shouting. Unfortunately these councillors have different characters altogether," Magwala said.
When Venda was used in the IDP meeting, Cllr Du Plooy asked that the meeting be conducted in English. He was "shouted against and told that there are eleven languages and that he must familiarize himself with it ..."
The statement further reads, "Cllr Du Plooy was actually surprised and appreciated it when the mayor intervened. She reprimanded the ANC councillors in front of him but some did not adhere to her outcry."
On this, Mr Magwala said that the councillor should have asked for an interpreter.
"Generally, English is being utilized as the language in council meetings and documents. However, there is no prohibition for a councillor to utilize the language which he or she understands the most, as long as there will be an interpretation," Magwala said.
Another IDP meeting that all interest groups in the community should attend is scheduled on Wednesday, May 23, in the Show Hall at 18:00. This meeting is scheduled because Sunday meetings exclude many people who attend church.