NEAR BLOWS AS TEMPERS FLARE AT COUNCIL MEETING

MBABANE – Tempers flared yesterday during a dramatic meeting at the Municipal Council of Mbabane as councillors squared up following a heated exchange of words last night.

Ward 3 Councillors Mbutfo Nhlengetfwa squared up with  Ward 5 Councillor Arnold Dlamini outside the Council Chamber last night and the former threatened to sort the latter out. Dlamini, who also doubles up as Under Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, was confronted by Councillor Nhlengetfwa, Ward 2 Councillor Musa Dlamini and Deputy Mayor Simangaliso Gama.

The enraged trio had been angered by a submission that was made by Arnold and they had to be separated by other councillors during the heated confrontation outside the council chamber.

“We are not your boys and you will not dictate to us how council business is supposed to be handled. We will sort you out,” the Councillors were heard saying.
All the while, Councillor Arnold stood his ground and pleaded his innocence.
Nhlengetfwa was clearly the councillor who led the charge.

Moments before the confrontation spilled onto the corridors of the civic offices, in full view of members of the media who were covering the meeting, Nhlengetfwa had stormed out of the council chamber in protest of a submission that had been made by the Home Affairs senior officer.
The Ward 3 Councillor walked out despite repeated pleas from Mbabane Mayor and Ward 1 Councillor, Zephaniah Nkambule, to remain seated.
“Councillor Nhlengetfwa, I order you to remain in your seat, I urge you to respect this house,” the Mayor said.
“Hwawu ngeke, ngiya ekhaya mine,” said Nhlengetfwa as he strode out of the council chamber causing a stir in the chamber.
“Councillors, I hope you do see what the councillor is doing and this is in total disrespect of the house. There certainly has to be serious repercussions for such,” said Nkambule.
Immediately, Deputy Mayor Gama followed Nhlengetfwa through the door and the two returned and occupied their seats.
Once again, Mayor Nkambule gave Councillor Arnold the floor to continue making his submission to adjourn or note the information about a report that had been brought to council by the Chief Executive Officer Gideon Mhlongo.
Meanwhile, it remains a mystery whether the chief executive officer will remain in office today, while some councillors are adamant he is not coming back and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Phiwayinkhosi Mabuza was vague in his response when contacted at 9:20pm yesterday.
When contacted Mabuza said: “The contents of my decision have been informed by the report I received on Section 27.”

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