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Affidavit filed in support of criminal investigation into NMB Speaker’s alleged kidnapping

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Dear MyPE

Yesterday, 10 December 2020, the Democratic Alliance (DA) filed an affidavit at the Humewood Police Station in support of a request for a criminal investigation into the alleged kidnapping of the Nelson Mandela Bay Speaker, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya.

This follows after three men seemingly forcibly removed the Speaker from a Nelson Mandela Bay council sitting that took place at City Hall on 4 December 2020. I have also been informed that one of these men was carrying a firearm.

Our affidavit has been added to the request for a criminal investigation into obstruction of justice that has already been submitted by the acting City Manager, Mr Mandla George.

Video footage from the meeting clearly indicates the men forcibly removing the Speaker against her will, and also man-handling a female staff member.

Seven days have passed since this harrowing event took place, and still, the Speaker has not laid criminal charges against these individuals.

As a member of Council, with an interest in the well-being of all councillors, and having witnessed a criminal act in the Council chamber, I feel duty-bound to request that an investigation is conducted with regards to the alleged kidnapping and harassment of the Speaker, as well as the endangering of lives, as a result of a firearm being brought into the chamber.

The DA will not allow the safety of councillors and municipal staff to be placed at risk through violence in the Council chamber. Violence and criminality cannot be allowed to go unchecked without repercussions.

DA Eastern Cape Shadow MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Vicky Knoetze, MPL, has also written to the Eastern Cape MEC for CoGTA, Xolile Nqatha, and requested him to immediately investigate this act of violence within the council chamber.

We urge the police to act with speed to make sure that those who are found guilty of criminal activities face the full might of the law.

Regards

Cllr Morne Steyn
DA NMB Caucus Chairperson

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