Illness sidelines ANC councillors during crucial Johannesburg council meeting

Dozens of ANC councillors were absent on the second day of the City of Johannesburg council meeting, many citing ill-health ahead of the party’s three-day regional conference starting later on Thursday afternoon.

This prompted City of Joburg Speaker Margaret Arnolds to quip that she wondered if the ANC councillors ate the same food as a number of them fell ill, unlike their counterparts from other parties.

Council chief whip and ANC councillor Khazamula Chauke read a list of apologies, mostly due to ill-health, not feeling well, seeing a doctor, or leaving early to seek medical assistance.

Others asked to leave early if council business is not concluded, while others said they had family commitments, matters, and business to take care of, among other reasons.

“On a very light note, I want to understand did the ANC caucus ate the same food that we had yesterday because a lot of them have become sick today, but it's fine. We accept the apologies,” Arnolds said.

A DA councillor asked: “Just a quick question. So, if these sick people are sick, are they home in bed, or will we see them on TV a little later?”

Arnolds pleaded with councillors to get moving if they were serious, as it seemed as if by 3pm, they were going to lose quorum.

The meeting has been attended by 145 out of the municipality’s 270 councillors.

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero is expected to square off against the city’s Finance MMC and ANC Regional Deputy Secretary Loyiso Masuku for his position as ANC Johannesburg regional chairperson at the party’s regional conference at the Cedarwoods in Sandton.

The victor between Morero and Masuku could face DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille, and the third largest party in council, ActionSA, also opened applications for its Joburg mayoral candidate.

On Tuesday, Morero also survived a motion of no confidence tabled by former mayor and Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za