ANC, EFF at centre of clashes ahead of Ekurhuleni State of the City Address

JOHANNESBURG - Chaos has erupted at a council meeting in the City of Ekurhuleni, with the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at the centre of Thursday’s clashes.  

Just as Mayor Doctor Xhakaza, an ANC councillor, was about to deliver his State of the City Address the session was disrupted.  

EFF councillors raised placards protesting poor service delivery in the metro, despite the party being part of the government through an ANC-led multi-party coalition.  

“There’s an illegal gathering in the chamber, please call the police.”

“There are councillors who are holding foreign objects in council. Can they be removed?”  

Those were the words of frustrated ANC councillors in the Ekurhuleni city council, expressing their anger as EFF members raised placards just as the mayor was about to deliver his speech.  

The placards highlighted issues such as potholes and electricity supply challenges.  

Some ANC councillors attempted to stop the EFF members from protesting inside the council chambers, but the red berets remained undeterred.  

Council whip Pelisa Njunjana had to request the speaker to pause the meeting.  

“Speaker, can we have a five-minute multi-party caucus?”  

This is not the first time ANC and EFF councillors in Ekurhuleni have disrupted a meeting.