Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) chief Steven Ngobeni has rubbished claims that he allegedly failed to act against African National Congress (ANC) councillors who disrupted last week’s State of the City address.
Ngobeni’s denial comes as City of Tshwane executive mayor Solly Msimanga accused him of leaving‚ after he was instructed by the city manager to eject disruptive councillors from the chamber‚ and getting into his car.
The disruptions prevented Msimanga from delivering his state of the capital address for about five hours. When ANC councillors refused to leave‚ speaker Katlego Mathebe adjourned the sitting. Msimanga was able to address the guests from another room.
“I got a report that there was a bus outside that had Cosas (Congress of South African Students) who wanted to force themselves inside the council chamber premises. I then left the gallery whilst they were debating the issue of the removal of councillors to apprehend Cosas because my responsibility is the security outside the perimeter of the chamber‚” said Ngobeni.
“Before I arrived there‚ I received a call from the city manager saying ‘I want you here’ and when I got to him‚ I was told that I was suspended and I didn’t argue with him‚ I said‚ ‘Thank you very much’ and I left‚” said Ngobeni.
Msimanga told The Times on Monday that Ngobeni had spoken to former MMC for Safety and Security‚ Terence Mashego‚ who allegedly gave Ngobeni an instruction to leave the venue and not quell the situation.
Ngobeni‚ however‚ dismissed this claim‚ saying that he could not remove councillors as his powers do not allow him too‚ making reference to Section 11 of the Powers and Privileges Act which allows police to enter Parliament’s chambers to remove and arrest MPs.
He made reference to a Democratic Alliance court application against National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete‚ chair of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise and the government for removing disruptive MPs from Parliament.
Mbete and Modise had invoked section 11 during President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address on February 12‚ calling upon Parliamentary staff and security to forcefully remove the Economic Freedom Fighters from the joint sitting due to disturbances. Ngobeni accused Msimanga of being ignorant and not following his party’s own court cases.
A section of the Powers and Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act was declared inconsistent with the Constitution in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.
Msimanga said Ngobeni was duty bound to uphold the law by restoring order to the council.
Both TMPD and the South African Police Service entered the council hall twice to ask ANC councillors to leave the venue‚ but they refused‚ stating that they were not being disruptive. Heated skirmishes ensued.
“There’s an issue of political interference when it comes to law enforcement which is something that is very worrying. We are now taking this up with the relevant minister (Police Minister Fikile Mbalula) from the SAPS side‚” said Msimanga.
According to the mayor‚ a report is being compiled by speaker Katlego Mathebe on what steps need to be taken against Ngobeni‚ which could include suspension or making adjustments to his employment contract going forward.
The report will be discussed at a special council meeting.
Tshwane metro police chief dismisses criticism from Msimanga
Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) chief Steven Ngobeni has rubbished claims that he allegedly failed to act against African National Congress (ANC) councillors who disrupted last week’s State of the City address.
Ngobeni’s denial comes as City of Tshwane executive mayor Solly Msimanga accused him of leaving‚ after he was instructed by the city manager to eject disruptive councillors from the chamber‚ and getting into his car.
The disruptions prevented Msimanga from delivering his state of the capital address for about five hours. When ANC councillors refused to leave‚ speaker Katlego Mathebe adjourned the sitting. Msimanga was able to address the guests from another room.
“I got a report that there was a bus outside that had Cosas (Congress of South African Students) who wanted to force themselves inside the council chamber premises. I then left the gallery whilst they were debating the issue of the removal of councillors to apprehend Cosas because my responsibility is the security outside the perimeter of the chamber‚” said Ngobeni.
“Before I arrived there‚ I received a call from the city manager saying ‘I want you here’ and when I got to him‚ I was told that I was suspended and I didn’t argue with him‚ I said‚ ‘Thank you very much’ and I left‚” said Ngobeni.
Msimanga told The Times on Monday that Ngobeni had spoken to former MMC for Safety and Security‚ Terence Mashego‚ who allegedly gave Ngobeni an instruction to leave the venue and not quell the situation.
Ngobeni‚ however‚ dismissed this claim‚ saying that he could not remove councillors as his powers do not allow him too‚ making reference to Section 11 of the Powers and Privileges Act which allows police to enter Parliament’s chambers to remove and arrest MPs.
He made reference to a Democratic Alliance court application against National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete‚ chair of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise and the government for removing disruptive MPs from Parliament.
Mbete and Modise had invoked section 11 during President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address on February 12‚ calling upon Parliamentary staff and security to forcefully remove the Economic Freedom Fighters from the joint sitting due to disturbances. Ngobeni accused Msimanga of being ignorant and not following his party’s own court cases.
A section of the Powers and Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act was declared inconsistent with the Constitution in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.
Msimanga said Ngobeni was duty bound to uphold the law by restoring order to the council.
Both TMPD and the South African Police Service entered the council hall twice to ask ANC councillors to leave the venue‚ but they refused‚ stating that they were not being disruptive. Heated skirmishes ensued.
“There’s an issue of political interference when it comes to law enforcement which is something that is very worrying. We are now taking this up with the relevant minister (Police Minister Fikile Mbalula) from the SAPS side‚” said Msimanga.
According to the mayor‚ a report is being compiled by speaker Katlego Mathebe on what steps need to be taken against Ngobeni‚ which could include suspension or making adjustments to his employment contract going forward.
The report will be discussed at a special council meeting.
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