By Celani Sikhakhane
- EFF members clashed with police while protesting against three councillors the party has expelled but who won’t leave.
- The expelled councillors allegedly helped the IFP keep control of the municipality by voting with them.
Police fired rubber bullets at EFF members who stormed the Richards Bay Civic Centre on Thursday, smashing glass doors during a violent protest.
The chaos started when EFF protesters demanded the City of uMhlathuze remove three of its councillors who were expelled from the party in 2024.
The councillors were kicked out of the EFF for failing to arrange buses to the party’s 10th anniversary celebration last year. But they stayed on as councillors, allegedly with support from the IFP.
The IFP needs these votes to keep control of the municipality since they don’t have enough seats to rule on their own.
“The EFF will occupy the council chamber until the expelled councillors are removed and vacancies are declared as per the law,” said EFF KZN chairperson Mongezi Thwala.
However the EFF occupation of the council chamber which began at around 10am ended in mid-afternoon.
Acting city manager Phakama Mhlongo said they can’t remove the former EFF councillors from the council because the matter is still in court.
The EFF rejected this explanation, saying they were told that eZulwini Attorneys is handling the case but haven’t seen any proof.
The party claims the IFP-led administration is protecting the expelled councillors against the EFF’s wishes.
The attorneys could not be reached for comment.
Pictured above: The uMhlathuze Municipality offices were damaged on Thursday when the EFF faced off with police during the council sitting in Richards Bay.
Source: SAPS
