Scuffles and Struggle Song Sing-Offs at Secret Voting for #JoburgMayor and Speaker (& Struggle Song Sing-Off)
JOHANNESBURG – The Joburg Council was forced to adjourn after a scuffle broke out between party agents over the secret ballot and voting process. The IEC has however said it’s satisfied with the process and counting, and has called for proceedings to continue. The scuffle had broken out between the EFF Deputy President and an unknown Councillor. Both had […]
JOHANNESBURG – The Joburg Council was forced to adjourn after a scuffle broke out between party agents over the secret ballot and voting process. The IEC has however said it’s satisfied with the process and counting, and has called for proceedings to continue.
The scuffle had broken out between the EFF Deputy President and an unknown Councillor. Both had to be physically restrained after they clashed.
[VIDEO] Scuffle at #JoburgMayor vote >> https://t.co/CU0machH2W pic.twitter.com/7NTk2Bp3P6
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 22, 2016
Earlier there were scenes of jubilation as ANC and EFF supporters had an almost struggle-song sing-off! Watch below.
Councillors are voting today for the Speaker of Council and Mayor of the City of Joburg.
According to the City of Joburg there was a “euphoric aura in the City Hall as hundreds of people [sang and danced] in support of their candidates.” (See videos below.)
South Africans is expected to find out today whether the mayor will remain Parks Tau or be the DA’s Herman Mashaba. The IEC will assist with the process to elect a new Speaker of Council.
It’s been an interesting morning with accusations of bribery (the ANC allegedly tried to bribe EFF members to vote for their candidates) and trending hashtags #EFFSoldMyVote along with #Joburg and #JoburgMayor, as well as a couple of candidates withdrawing.
The DA cheered loudly when it was announced that the ballots would be white for the Speaker, blue for the Mayor (which happens to be the DA colour) and yellow for the Chief Whip.
While the EFF is not ecstatic with Mashaba, the party has said it will back the DA in its efforts to do anything to prevent the ANC from governing Joburg.
Proceedings were disrupted earlier by a skirmish in the public gallery; and police have been sent in to bring normalcy.
Scroll down for a live streaming video from City Hall.
On Twitter:
#Joburg during the break singing and dancing continues as councillors prepare to vote. MK pic.twitter.com/ey6znSGXQ2
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 22, 2016
#Joburg #EFF Councillors chanting before voting begins,through secret ballot.STM pic.twitter.com/XnToyyOlVb
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) August 22, 2016
#Joburg the battle of the struggling songs between ANC and EFF … while DA councillors are seated #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/XyCKDBgWAV
— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) August 22, 2016
#Joburg #EFF Members chanting songs pro their leader @Julius_S_Malema pic.twitter.com/poxF1xF7XJ
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) August 22, 2016
#Joburg @HermanMashaba says it's a big day and they will take Joburg. @KayaNews pic.twitter.com/Bwd5ven4ir
— Khayelihle Rafiq Khumalo-James Jnr (@KhayaJames) August 22, 2016
If DA wins I'm moving to #Joburg cos #ANCSoldMyCountry
— Phambuka (@GehJiga) August 22, 2016
#Joburg … Parks Tau sharing a joke with Magashule Gana … #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/Y2IXczLSQx
— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) August 22, 2016