City of Tshwane speaker Mncedi Nddzwanana
By Sthembiso Sithole
Spokesperson to the Speaker of Council
The Office of the Speaker has noted the latest misguided assertion and baseless accusations around the Speaker of Council, Cllr. Mncedi Ndzwanana.
To set the record straight, the rulings of the Speaker in all Council sittings are not based on emotions.
As the champion of oversight and holding the Executive accountable, the Speaker conducts the meetings of Council in accordance with the Rules and Orders By-law.
The Speaker categorically denies that opposition parties are being silenced in Council meetings.
In fact, there is no political party in the Council that is being silenced.
It’s the duty of the Speaker of Council to be fair and impartial when managing debates.
It is wholly incorrect to assert that opposition parties are being silenced in Council meetings.
The Speaker has always and continues to conduct and uphold fairness and impartiality in managing debates and motions.
All members of the Council have and continue to enjoy the freedom of debate during Council meetings; this is borne out by the record of proceedings (except In-committee deliberations), which
are ‘live streamed’ on YouTube.
The Speaker, as the champion of oversight, is currently making sure that all the committees sit to provide a platform to hold the Executive accountable.
Therefore, the Speaker categorically denies the shallow allegations that his office is denying committee members and councillors the opportunity to hold the Executive accountable.
Furthermore, it should also be noted that the Council was on recess for the festive holidays, with service delivery continuing.
The allegations that the new administration is evading accountability and disregarding legislative
processes are misleading and untrue.
The City has no intention of evading accountability and remains committed to operating within the bounds of the legislative framework.
It is important to note that such a statement falls within the purview of the Executive, as the Speaker speaks on behalf of the Legislature, not the City as a whole.
With regard to the planned Motion of No Confidence against the Speaker, the Office of the Speaker can confirm that the Speaker has read the recorded reasons for the motion and the said reasons are without merit.
In addition, they do not have to mount a defense against the motion, but the truth will prevail.
The Council meeting will proceed according to the Rules on 26 June 2025.